In the bell hooks reading Patriarchy is defined as a political- social system that insists that males are inherently dominating, superior to everything and everyone is seen as weak especially females. This means that in modern society today most men still hold a lot of power in which woman are excluded from. Patriarchy plays a huge part through adolescence and determines how each person is regarded through gender roles. It is seen a lot in religion because many people believe and preach that God created man to rule the world and the role of women is to help men achieve this. In christianity it is also taught that God is male. Many parents enforce their patriarchal beliefs taken from religion on their children. It is taught in many households that boys should never show weakness or express emotions. This makes them weak but its okay if a girl does these things. Many girls are also taught to be very care taking and nurturing while boys are taught to be served and to be strong.
An artist that I found who addresses and challenges the status quo is Malala Yousafzai. Yousafzai is Pakistani schoolgirl who is advocate for girls schools. When she was just 11 years old her right for education was taken away from her. Malala Yousafzai began speaking publicly in 2012 on behalf of girls and their right to learn. This resulted in her becoming an easy target in which she was shot on the left side of her head. After several months and rehabilitation Malala left Pakistan and moved with her family to the U.K. She then later shared her story with the world. Malala is a very brave public figure for standing up for what she believes in. This is very interesting to me because I believe girls should have an opportunity to choose their future without being oppressed by men.
Quote #1
"I tried to warn you. You need to accept that you are just a little girl and girls can't do what boys do."
This quote from the Bell Hooks reading is very cruel due to the fact the author received a beating at the age of five years old just because she wanted to play marbles a "boys game". This was astonishing to me because at the age of five one isn't aware of gender roles. The fathers beating was to prove that he was the masculine or alpha figure in the household. The author would think twice from this point on to challenge the fathers beliefs with the memory of her beating reciprocating forever in her mind.
Quote #2
"Patriarchal rules still govern most of the world's religious, school systems, and family systems."
I chose this quote because around the world many people still have strong patriarchal beliefs. However, this generation is trying to fight against those traditional norms. A woman shouldn't be looked at like any less than man.
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