Never fully dressed…

Dear Patriarchy

Welcome to episode 4 of series 3 - we kick off with discussing how women get penalized for their own sexuality because, within a patriarchal construct, they’re not “allowed” to be in control of their bodies and own their own sexual power. We talk about the shame and responsibility that is placed on women’s bodies from a very young age in order to control the emotions and sexual urges of boys and men, instead of putting that responsibility where it belongs (on boys and men). We then move on to the restrictions of the gender binary: How it defines what it is to be a man OR a woman (nothing in between) and how patriarchal systems of control encourage girls and women to view each other as competition, not allies, under the false guise of there being a limited amount of seats at the table for women. We share personal anecdotes about how mothers who also choose to work outside the home are held back within the corporate world because they “chose” to take time off for a family, aka the motherhood penalty. We close the episode with a deep dive on the male gaze and its influence on women’s mindsets and how they view themselves and the wider world.
- The article we reference recording the Wodaabe men and their dance. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-39070587.amp
- Please check out our "Feminism 101" suggested reading list here if you're at a loose end for a great read from a Feminist author.
- Find out more about the amazing artists, Nubefy, behind the graphics we use here