I view "patriarchy" in Americastan thus:
Both men & women have great influence here. They hold supervisory jobs, they raise children, they start businesses, they elect politicians, they hold public office, they comment in media, etc. Whatever system we have, with all its pluses & minuses, is the result of these combined influences. Actual patriarchy involves a very very few men, ie, those who reign with real power. They are mostly men, but they individuals, & do not exemplify all men. In politics, women, being the majority of voters, elect them. A woman who votes for either Democrats or Republicans wields far more power than do I, because her candidates actually win, & go on to rule us. The patriarchy so often decried is a problem caused by people. So particularly to women folk who don't like it, I say "Do something about it.". If you see too few women in business, then start one. If you see too few women in politics, then run for office. If you don't like the politicians you elect, then vote for someone else. If you don't want patriarchists in society, raise your kids to be better than that.
I'm wearing a brick-proof Hawaiian shirt today, so let them fly!
