Matriarchal Blessing
Perhaps since I write an essay about patriarchy each week, you may think I’m saying that in a sarcastic voice “Oh it’s SOOoooOO hard to have society built just for you 1 and have all the power in government, business and religion for * checks watch* all of recorded history. 2 Boo hoo. Sad violins for you.”
Very earnestly I believe that despite greater access to power and resources, the box labeled “ socially acceptable ways to be a man” is much smaller than the box labeled “ socially acceptable ways to be a woman.”
“Men are in power as a group but do not feel power as individuals.. Men were raised to believe themselves entitled to feel that power, but do not feel it. No wonder men are frustrated and angry...
Failure to embody the rules of manhood is a source of men's confusion and pain... it is unrealizable for any man. But we keep trying, vainly, to measure up. American masculinity is a relentless test."
Thomas is a trans man. Since transitioning he has noticed that when he speaks, everyone is quiet. No one interrupts him anymore. He says, “It was wonderful and weird. Until I was a man, I had no idea how good men have it at work.”
