PATRIARCHY - Deeply Rooted

Patriarchy is a form of social organization in which males dominate females.

Nature makes diversity but not hierarchy, not inequality. It has never been stated that an elephant is better than a mouse, a rose is better than a cactus or a man is better than a woman, and vice versa. This inequality is created by society (basically 'us'). Our society puts labels of gender, religion, caste, nationality, etc. which creates discrimination among people. If you contemplate, you will find that there are more similarities than differences between men and women. I think the primary (maybe the only) difference is Physical i.e. Reproductive System. The differences are not related to jobs, careers, or other activities. It is not important that the Vice-Chairman or the Chief Minister is a man or a woman, or the chef in a restaurant is a male or a female chef. Nature has not created any of these differences.

Popular Men on Patriarchy

Periyar EV Ramasamy made sure that women took part in politics and stepped out of the house. The emancipation of women and the self-respect movement were the major issues he fought for. He stated, " That there should a separate gender just to look after one’s house and cook is infinitely worse than the Varna system.” He suggested, “Community cooking will be a better option to bring women out of the kitchen”. He also insisted on the need for “child-care centres led by Government.”

Periyar was of the opinion that “Man treats woman as his own property and not as being capable of feelings, like himself. The way a man treats women is much worse than the way landlords treat servants and the high-caste treat the low-caste. These treat them so demeaningly only in situations mutually affecting them; but men treat them cruelly and as slaves, from their birth till death.”

Mahatma Phule pioneered the foundation of a social revolution in India.  He advocated the progress of backward caste communities along with emphasizing the importance of imparting education to women in the family. In other words, he insisted on gender equality in the field of education, property, jobs, and of course, in the family. Phule, who belonged to the upper strata of society tried to illuminate people on critical and sensitive issues such as Sati, child marriage, widow remarriage, and women's education. Mahatma Phule saw women as equal or rather better than men.

B.R. Ambedkar declined to accept any progress if women in the society remained backward. He said," I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved." Dr. Ambedkar saw the essential need of spreading education among women. He noticed the beginning of endogamy by a mass of people. He knew that the maintenance of endogamy would demand control over women. He strongly supported inter-caste marriages to liberate women and not bind them in customary marriages.

Mahatma Gandhi -Shyam Benegal’s film The Making of the Mahatma, or, Anil Kapoor’s film Gandhi, My Father, and a noted play Gandhi Versus Gandhi have tried to enlighten people about Gandhi Ji's views on several issues. He did not disturb the status quo of the conventional Indian family. He held that woman was not inferior to man, but her role was different. Gandhi advised women who wished to dedicate themselves totally to the cause of freedom to remain unmarried. For couples who were similarly dedicated, he advised celibacy and no children. Acharya J.B.Kripalani and his wife Sucheta followed this ideal. The power equation within the home remained undisturbed. 

The common man has not raised any voice against Patriarchy, they enjoy the benefits they get from it.

And if you think that only men are suppressing the root of patriarchy in society, then you are wrong as women are the main stakeholder in this. A mother-in-law should control her daughter-in-law; a mother will tell her daughter to behave and much more are some of the women-driven examples. 

Songs like "Aapki nazaro ne samjha pyar ke kabil hume" which was sung by a woman means that an eye of a man only makes her feel loveable and the list goes on and on as Bollywood only believes in sexist songs to show a woman more vulnerable.  

Are the so-called set "behaviours" only for women and not for men??

If your answer is yes then read below.

Disadvantages of Patriarchy to Men

⭓ Men are not allowed to express their emotions. "Be a man, don't cry, don't get scared."  If they are unable to do anything they just cannot express themselves. Crying or getting scared will make them look weak or girlish😒. Apparently, these are 'a girl thing' and not Human.

⭓ They are taught only one thing i.e. earning money and being a bread achiever. From their childhood, they are only taught how to earn money and household chores are again said to be a 'girl thing' 😎.

⭓ Many men because of this patriarchal behavior of society are separated from Humanity. As they are not allowed to accept their failures, defeat, and rejection (because accepting these may prove them to be weak😏) they end up indulging themselves in criminal offences.

⭓ Some rules like men can't wear makeup, they should watch action and thrill movies as other genres are made for females, they can not wear a skirt and if they do so their sexuality is questioned. This thinking of the society is very poor and backward.

A person is not born like this. He/She is manufactured to become like this by their families and society. Some men have realized that it is just not enough to build the corporate world, it is also important to build their children and stand by their wives. Patriarchy is not built by men alone but women themselves have been a part of this fixing its roots in our lives.

Lastly, it is important to state that the fight is not against men; but against anyone who believes in Patriarchy, whether men or women.