Question

Patriarchal ideology undervalues attributes seen as “feminine” or pertaining to women and privileges traits that are “masculine” or relating to men.

Reflect on the above statement and with the help of any four arguments, outline the impact of such an ideology on different genders.

Answer 1

Impact of patriarchy on different genders:

On Women:

1. It leads to practice and prevalence of social evils like female foeticide/Female infanticide/Child marriage/Sati/Dowry.
2. It also legitimises subordination of women to men and leads to heinous crimes like rape, sexual harassment and domestic violence.
3. It creates unequal opportunities for men and women which culminates in unequal pay norms at workplace.
4. Women interiorise their inferior status and at times end up submitting to the will of the men. Many a times they remain unaware of their rights.

On Men:

1. Men develop a superiority complex.
2. They often feel pressured to conform to the normative roles of being ‘tough’ and the ‘provider’.
3. It makes them ignorant of the challenges that women encounter.
4. Patriarchal notion of rigid masculinity makes men violent in their behaviour towards women since they begin to view women as a secondary being.