Patriarchy

Patriarchy is a form of social organization of which is strongly male dominated. Patriarchy exists in America and goes unnoticed by most. It is very much a part of our lives of which we do not even think about. This patriarchy creates power differences between men and women which greatly changes their lives and gives men an advantage.

While I agree with Johnson's main idea of patriarchy, I disagree with the way that people think about it. For example, Johnson says "When a woman finds her way into such positions, people tend to be struck by the exception to the rule, and wonder how she'll measure up against a man in the same position." I think that this is a situation that would have happened more in the past and is much less common now. Although, this is still likely to happen in a situation where a women is taking the position for the first time ever, as in becoming president. I also feel that most people do not follow the gender qualities that Johnson lists (for men: control, strength, toughness, ect.). Another statement of Johnson's that I greatly disagree with is: "Even when women gather together, they must often resist the ongoing assumption that no situation can be complete or even entirely real unless a man is there to take the center position." I think most people do not think in the same way that Johnson describes.

I feel that most of this book, and particularly Johnson's article, makes me feel like a horrible person for being a white male. I think this book needs to stop attacking so much and start explaining what can be done to make it better. So I apologize for being white and male...

Ryan Adams