THE PATRIARCHAL SCRIPT
I think the taking off of ones shirt when upset is a masculine performance that is learned. Any women take off their shirt when upset?
I can’t imagine many women taking off their shirt to notify the world that they are indeed frustrated, but I could be wrong. Thoughts?
LOOK AT ME MY SHIRT IS OFF AND I AM ANGRY! MY BARE MALE CHEST COMMUNICATES MY RAGE! Yeah so… about masculine performance.
Also, as a man, I will show that I am upset by breaking stuff: windows, walls, doors, people, etc.
You see, in order for me to prove my masculinity, I have to react violently in very scripted and/or predictable male sanctioned ways.
Suppose I was upset, like super duper upset, what if I channeled that rage through say.. writing or meditating? Would patriarchy allow it?
Being a man is kind of difficult, so instead I will act like one… whatever that means. *consults patriarchal code of conduct*
Patriarchy approves when you break THINGS, but if you really want to win its favor you have to break PEOPLE. That’s impressive AND macho!
I identify as a man, but patriarchy isn’t satisfied by identity alone, so I must also act like a man. That is where the script comes in!
Posted on March 22, 2011, in End Patriarchy. Bookmark the permalink. 1 Comment.
women actually do take off their shirts when they’re angry in some African cultures. when a grandmother or elderly woman was upset with the politics of what was happening in her village, she would strip naked and walk to the house of the chief/elder council and express her frustration (although i can’t recall where or with what ethnicities that took place). theres also a case in the documentary ‘Pray the Devil Back to Hell’ about the ending of the Liberian civil war in which the women were protesting at a government building and began to strip naked when they weren’t being heard.
just….for reference.
aside from that, i agree with this post and i think the day that men begin to realize that they’re engulfed in ridiculous and unachievable gender ideals in a similar way that women are, is the day we will truly begin to see changes in our society.