By most sociological definitions of the term "patriarchy," the United States is considered a patriarchy, due to the fact that women do not predominate in positions of power, whether you look at political or economic venues. Although opportunities exist for women at the individual level that did not exist forty years ago, the upper echelons of U.S. society still remain largely closed to women due to structural, supply-side and demand-side factors.
I also rather despise it when people say something to the effect of, "If you think this country is sexist (racist/etc.etc.) you should go to blah blah blah," as if comparing apples to oranges makes the apple shinier. Classic bait and switch. A better comparison is between nations with comparable GDPs, health indicators, poverty rates, and other quality of life factors-- i.e. other Western nations. The U.S. lags behind almost all other Western nations (although not all) in terms of its inclusion of women in, especially, political decision-making. I find it disingenuous and insulting to suggest that just because a nation doesn't require women to dress in burkas and doesn't stone them to death for committing adultery or being raped that that is somehow the pinnacle of equality...
There is debate about that... some anthropologists claim that prior to the advent of capitalism, some non-patriarchal societies existed (probably the most famous is located in Margaret Mead's research). Others claim there has never been a non-patriarchal society yet.
Oh, I am fairly convinced from my own anthro background that there have been non-patriarchal societies. I am asking about contemporary societies, since there is enough variation in gender relations throughout the world that I am wondering about the usefulness of calling it all patriarchy. Also, if the US is a patriarchy, what contemporary country demonstrates not-patriarchy?
I think more than just looking at women's positions in society (though that is certainly part of it), you have to look at value systems. For me, patriarchy is not just about privileging men, it's about privileging maleness. So if you have women succeeding by acting more traditionally masculine, that's better than women having to power, but it doesn't negate patriarchy.
And, yes. The US is less sexist and racist than some other places, but that doesn't make it not sexist and racist.
I also rather despise it when people say something to the effect of, "If you think this country is sexist (racist/etc.etc.) you should go to blah blah blah," as if comparing apples to oranges makes the apple shinier. Classic bait and switch. A better comparison is between nations with comparable GDPs, health indicators, poverty rates, and other quality of life factors-- i.e. other Western nations. The U.S. lags behind almost all other Western nations (although not all) in terms of its inclusion of women in, especially, political decision-making. I find it disingenuous and insulting to suggest that just because a nation doesn't require women to dress in burkas and doesn't stone them to death for committing adultery or being raped that that is somehow the pinnacle of equality...
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And, yes. The US is less sexist and racist than some other places, but that doesn't make it not sexist and racist.
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