A man’s Point of View

Jonathan Hellberg shares his thoughts on gender issues.

I believe that the patriarchal system as a social structure reduces the freedom of both men and women severely. It is a structure that divides society into constructed gender groups – men and women. However, differences between males and females exist.

Patriarchy and Freedom

The patriarchal structure restricts men and women to a conventional way of dressing, talking and their general behaviour. This form of oppression is difficult to recognise at an individual level. Try asking yourself these questions: How many women become presidents and how many men become house-husbands? Well, you do not have to be that extreme either! You could look at the number of women who are doctors, and how many of them are nurses? In reality, how many women are perceived as breadwinners?

Let us take it to another level. How many men do you see wearing skirts, or lipstick for that matter? If you do see men wearing lipstick, what do you assume them to be? How often do you see women driving a car with a man in the passenger ’s seat? Why is it that women should be a virgin at marriage while men can proudly brag about the share of women they have had?

The patriarchal system discriminates against women in the economic and political systems. For the past 100 years or more ‘middle-aged white men’ have ruled the world of economics and politics.

Women’s Oppression

To me, it is obvious that women are oppressed. Women’s oppression takes place through domestic violence, through the constant threat of harassment and rape, through being displayed as sexual objects by the media and by being excluded from information and power. The list is endless.As a man I cannot fully understand this, not until I meet an employer who wants to know if I am going to have a child soon, before signing a work contract. Not until I go to work knowing that today someone will call me sweet little boy, pinch my bottom and ‘accidentally’ touch my breast.

Beyond just Capitalism

As a man I can write about this but I cannot experience it. I cannot understand how this impacts on women’s lives and how this oppresses them. For me, the gender issue goes beyond the rooted ideological left and right view of society. This is an issue that traces back to societies long before capitalism. It is rooted in other dynamics not only those of capitalism. Hence, it is too narrow a view to analyse this only through the Marxist/socialist’s lens.

It was a privilege to be at the Khanya College Winter School, a platform that allowed for a change of people’s mindsets. Conscientising people on gender issues helps one to realise that there are alternatives in life. Hopefully within time, people will choose to treat one another with respect.

Jonathan Hellberg is a Swedish intern with the Southern Cape Land Committee in George (Western Cape, South Africa).