I’m no feminist — so I just grimaced my way through the blame-the-patriarchy passages. As a guy, I have stared at myself naked in the mirror and can’t spot this patriarchy appendage I apparently have. Therefore, it is either in my mind, your mind, or nowhere. So, statistically at least, I am probably not the problem with this patriarchy thing — which is of course not to deny that males can be total jerks.

Otherwise, this is an excellent write, if I am any judge. Very insightful. And I know where you are at with that kick-the-booze trip — something that at least moves from social stress to social freedom in my experience.

Try seeing the issues without using a cultural lens.