We need to start analyzing individual men as active perpetrators of patriarchy rather than just innocent “victims” of it. The idea that the patriarchy is a structure that only exists in an abstract way and sometimes possesses “innocent, kindhearted men” to do bad things rather than an inherent & unavoidable part of their position & social programming will not make men unlearn themselves. On the contrary, it will only make them find excuses for their behavior that maintain their innocence.
Assuring men that, when generalizations are made, they are aimed at “the structural masculinity” rather than each and every individual man who inevitably has learned these behaviors only makes men think that their supposed “awareness”, and their tolerance of generalizations absolves them of being the intended target of said generalizations. This, be it consciously or subconsciously, makes them think that their position (though it is the same) is not as harmful as that of other men, and thus that there is not as much harm in their supposedly ”accidental” and “innocent” sexist actions and their consequences. Absolving individual men of collective responsibility enables them to continue with harmful behaviors.
Tag: interesting
imnot-crazy-imjustalittle-unwell:
Serial killer statistics.
jesus christ why do i live in america
Well that can’t be right to compare, America is fucking huge compared to England so of course there’s gonna be more serial killers there??? Shouldn’t they have done it per capita (or whatever it’s called)??
do you know how big russia is
like half the size of the USA, population-wise? the china and india statistics are more relevant. the main thing I want to know is: why the hell are there so many serial killers in california specifically compared to illinois + new york
California has such a high amount of serial killers due mostly to its geography. Because it has large cities, such as L.A., so close to wilderness it has both the urban setting serial killers target, as well as a reclusive isolated area for them to hide.
…heterosexuality is like air; all around us and yet invisible. But as we all know, the fact that we can see through air doesn’t mean it can’t exert force, push things around, and create friction. […] Think about heterosexuality like an aircraft pilot thinks about the air: as something that is not only capable of but is constantly in the process of influencing if not dictating thoughts, actions, and reactions.
Hanne Blank; Straight: The Surprisingly Short History of Heterosexuality, pg. xvi
Random Toughts 