I am a feminist because I believe excess patriarchy increases human misery.
Any culture, macro or micro, wherein an ideology of intrinsic male superiority circulates unchecked is not a healthy or a thriving culture.
I am a feminist because keeping patriachy in check increases my enjoyment of the world, and decreases human suffering.
Possessive investment in inherent male superiority makes for more boring and brutal cultures, neighborhoods, and families. When I think of the excesses of patriarchy I include all misogyny, local and global: countries where women can’t drive or must be veiled, any society where women are prevented from owning property, any place where a women’s voice or her vote is suppressed (officially or unofficially), any sidewalk where any person is demeaned or dehumanized because they are not a “man”, and any place where so-called “leaders” seek to limit a woman’s sovereign control over their own bodies.
Excess patriarchy can be observed at a macro and a micro level in many human socieities and relationships and it is “not a cute look”.
Any household or society or country or culture where the ideology of male superiority flourishes or circulates is suboptimal. Feminism is a strategy to combat the psychic and bio-political doctrine of intrinsic male superiority.
I am a feminist because I wish to combat the psychic and bio-political doctrine of intrinsic male superiority. This increases my enjoyment of the world.
The doctrine of intrinsic male superiority does not exist in nature. Patriarchy is unique to humans. Don’t @ me.
The doctrine of intrinsic male superiority hurts both women and men. Any cherished belief in any intrinsic superiority is at best wrong; at worst harmful. Anyone who is taught to believe they are intrinsically superior is at risk for increased suffering in the world.
If consenting adults want to organize themselves privately according to a belief in intrinsic male superiority I would defend their right to assemble. I respect their right to privacy and self-determination. However no ideology which proposes that the “inherent superiority” of any group should be used to construct or sustain any public institution of any size.
When you enlarge women’s rights and fight the doctrine of intrinsic male superiority using feminism it leads to increased economic prosperity and social cohesion overall.
If you feel embattled or threatened by those who use feminism to debunk male superiority you should examine your values. If you fear those who use feminism to shrink patriarchal excesses you should examine your privilege.
Those who fear the expansion of women’s rights will come at the expense of their own are mistaken.
Feminism doesn’t elevate unqualified women, but it does dethrone unqualified men. Feminism seeks to level the playing field. If this bothers you, welcome to fair play. Welcome to the real world where the doctrine of intrinsic male superiority has been exposed as an anemic myth.
