Being a woman in a patriarchal society often comes with a unique set of challenges and experiences.
Imagine being in high school, and your teacher remarks that your outfit is too distracting for the boys. Picture being in college, and your professor scribbles “blonde” next to your name to remember you. At 18, you attend an audition in Los Angeles as a size 2, only to be told, “Well, you’re definitely plus-size.”
Consider the discomfort when you decline an invitation to leave with someone who bought you a drink, only to be labeled a “tease” or worse, simply because they felt entitled to your company after their $6 purchase. Sometimes, you find yourself pretending to wear a wedding ring or claiming to be waiting for someone just to fend off unwanted attention from persistent men.
Then there’s the tension of being alone in an elevator with a man who just stepped on before you. You hold your breath, your body tenses, praying he doesn’t step off with you. You might even hide the cover of a book by a female comedian, bracing yourself for the inevitable comment that “women just aren’t funny.”
Early in your career, your boss might tell you that promoting you would be a “waste of a promotion,” opting instead to promote a younger male colleague with less experience. You may hear your boss say you remind him of his daughter, which feels more patronizing than flattering.
In meetings, you might watch as a male colleague, who is two levels above you, explains a process you painstakingly developed over two years—without giving you credit. As promotions continue to pass you by, you wonder why you are overlooked despite your hard work.
Returning to work just 10 weeks after giving birth, you struggle with sleep deprivation and the realities of motherhood while needing the paycheck to support your family. You might take international calls while pumping milk in a dimly lit room, hoping no one asks about the background noise.
You might even find yourself in an airport bathroom, pumping milk because there are no other options, and feeling heartbroken as you pour it down the drain.
In conversations with male colleagues, you may hear dismissive remarks about influential women like Sheryl Sandberg, despite the fact that the speaker has a wife at home and a nanny to help. You nod along, not wanting to stir up conflict.
Women often grapple with the fundamental right to make personal healthcare decisions, facing the challenge of men—be they politicians, doctors, or partners—believing they have the authority to dictate a woman’s choices regarding her body.
When considering birth control, you might hesitate to pick up your pack early due to costs, only to be met with condescending remarks from a pharmacist about how it’s “not as expensive as a baby.” However, the moment the Affordable Care Act takes effect, you could find yourself elated about saving $60 a month on necessary medication.
Even as you advocate for your health, you may face hurdles, such as insurance denying a mammogram because you’re deemed “too young,” despite medical recommendations.
This is the multifaceted reality of being a mother, a daughter, a wife, and a woman in today’s society.
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Summary
Life as a woman in a patriarchal society presents numerous challenges, from workplace inequality to personal health decisions. Women navigate a landscape filled with obstacles, often without recognition for their efforts. It’s a complex existence that highlights the need for advocacy and support in various aspects of life, including motherhood and health care.