Where have we come from?
At the dawn of agriculture, the concept of hierarchy and ownership was also born. Along with man's desire to rule over others and own land, property, livestock and crops, women and children were stripped of their dignity and rights, and for the first time considered by men as 'something' they could possess.
In previous societies children were seen as sacred, the strength of women were part of and valued in all aspects of life, including war and the feminised was revered as the giver of all life. Suddenly women and children were labelled as weak, and something for a man to own and assert his power and control over.
In previous societies children were seen as sacred, the strength of women were part of and valued in all aspects of life, including war and the feminised was revered as the giver of all life. Suddenly women and children were labelled as weak, and something for a man to own and assert his power and control over.
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The feminised was incorrectly attached to girls and women. Boys were, and in many places still are, raised to be tough like a man and to deny their humanity.
Should a boy display sensitivity, empathy or a desire for human comfort, he quickly learns he is perceived as weak like a girl, or is taunted as a mamma's boy. Still today the greatest verbal insult in the English language is a word which describes the essence of the female body, the genitalia! |
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From this time on being born female became dangerous or at the very least a disadvantage.
For many millennia a hyper masculinised or toxic masculine culture has grown all over the world. This form of patriarchy values the masculinised to the complete exclusion of the feminised. It does not share power, and seeks total control over all other beings and things, including men.
Within this construct girls and women are associated with the feminised and so are treated with contempt and misogyny. Boys and men who express traits perceived as feminised are prejudiced and threatened. Most governments and businesses prioritise and over value masculinised principles and those who can uphold them, perpetuating toxic cultures, domination and greater disparity between the haves and have nots of the world.
Within this construct girls and women are associated with the feminised and so are treated with contempt and misogyny. Boys and men who express traits perceived as feminised are prejudiced and threatened. Most governments and businesses prioritise and over value masculinised principles and those who can uphold them, perpetuating toxic cultures, domination and greater disparity between the haves and have nots of the world.
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World cultures steeped in practises or traditions that align with a more feminised expression are dispossessed of land and culture and in many cases have been annihilated.
People who are different to the masculine norm of a society are considered weak and are marginalised, oppressed and persecuted. Any system, service or entity that is characterised as more feminised is under valued, under funded, under cut until it is almost pushed out of existence. Many of these systems and services such as domestic life, the environment, education, health, the arts, community and human services, are strongly represented by women. |
Hofstede Insights cultural tool
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A high score (Masculine) on this dimension indicates that the society will be driven by competition, achievement and success, with success being defined by the “winner” or “best-in-the-field.” This value system starts in school and continues throughout one’s life – both in work and leisure pursuits.
A low score (Feminine) on the dimension means that the dominant values in society are caring for others and quality of life. A Feminine society is one where quality of life is the sign of success and standing out from the crowd is not admirable. |
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The fundamental issue here is what motivates people,
wanting to be the best (masculine) or liking what you do (feminine).
In countries that are considered a “Masculine” society, the behaviour in school, work, and play are based on the shared values that people should “strive to be the best they can be” and that “the winner takes all”. People are proud of their successes and achievements in life, and it offers a basis for hiring and promotion decisions in the workplace. Conflicts are resolved at the individual level and the goal is to win.
The Man Box: A Study on Being a Young Man in Australia (2018)
Dr Michael Flood
"There is an urgent and powerful need to promote change in dominant norms of masculinity in Australia. … the social expectations that boys and men must be tough, aggressive, stoic, in charge, and so on – takes a high toll on both men and women. There are three key tasks here: highlight the harms; weaken its cultural grip; and promote healthy and ethical alternatives".
"Every human being and living thing on the planet is hurt by
the toxic form of masculinity prevalent in today's world".
Consider this ... |
Ask yourself this ... |
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So, where are we heading and
what are we aiming for?
Humanist - Humanity - Human
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When all parts of us are welcome and valued; age, gender, racial or any other singular identity are NO LONGER the limited lens through which we perceive or judge each other. Instead, each of us is respected and regarded first and foremost as a human being; complex and diverse, where differences are appreciated and wanted, or not, but NEVER used as a weapon to divide, exclude or control!
When all parts of us are more accessible, our sense of humanity and dignity shines through. Collectively, we are motivated to strive for our thoughts, words and deeds to be aligned and influenced by a dignified sense of humanity. |
I acknowledge Aboriginal people and communities as the traditional custodians of this land. I work and reside on the land of the Ngunnawal people and pay my respect to their elders past, present and future.
