ART APPRECIATION
Lesson 9: Essay on Patriarchy and Women’s Subordination
Taking Up Space
Patriarchy and women subordination are topics that are no stranger to me as an
advocate of women empowerment and gender equality. Patriarchy can be described as a
system of social structures and practices wherein the supreme authority is enthroned in the
hands of males. It believes that women are naturally subordinate or inferior to men and
therefore, limits their ability to participate and develop themselves beyond what is constituted by
them. Such system is considered socially acceptable by most, if not all, societies around the
world even up to this day. To me, patriarchy is the principal obstacle in the advancement of
society because it not only creates a social divide but it puts all people, not just women, into
boxes. For decades, it has enforced a script of proper masculinity — what it takes to be a real
man — as it is that of proper femininity in all agents of the socialization process, from the family
to economic, political, and educational institutions. It is for this reason and my personal
experiences that I vowed to myself to contribute to the dismantling of this system that benefits
no one.
The personal experiences which I refer to are the times where I have received
comments about how I supposedly should dress and speak. This, I believe, is a common
phenomenon that is confronted by young girls and women across the world. People, especially
men, always seem to have something to say about how women should present themselves and
assume that women should do so in a way that fits their standards. For example, I remember
watching a famous Filipino YouTuber’s vlog about her shoe closet one time and her husband
made a comment behind the camera about how he wouldn’t even notice the difference between
the two pairs of nude heels she was showing. She then responded by saying, “I don’t dress up
for guys, I dress up for myself.” I have also seen so many similar instances on social media
where men comment on girls’ photos about how they should wear less make-up or should put
on some to look “beautiful”. There are even some where they comment that they are “grossed
out” seeing a woman not being ashamed of her underarm hair in photos and that they need to
shave. These examples may appear trivial, but if we actually analyze them and try to look at the
bigger picture, we can see that it is an effect of patriarchy. In a society that embraces patriarchal
views, men feel the need to correct women on the things they do when they do not fit into the
norms and believe that their opinions hold more value so women should agree and follow.
It is important also to point out that the effects of patriarchy are far-reaching and are not
just limited to beauty standards. Patriarchal influences are embedded so deeply in society and
culture that women have to work twice as hard to be considered to be on equal footing as their
male counterparts or even respected, across all industries and institutions. Despite the progress
that feminist movements have done for women regarding these issues, there is still work to be
done and I have made it part of my life’s purpose to do my part. I really hope that I get to live a
future where women no longer question their worth or their individual choices because of
unsolicited disparaging remarks on the way they look and the way they should be or act for
women are powerful beings, nothing at all like what society and patriarchy describe us to be. If
young girls and women, in the famous words of the longest-reigning Miss Universe in history,
Zozibini Tunzi, take up space in society and work collectively, I don’t see why this future can’t
happen.
References:
Aggarwal, S. (2016). Patriarchy and Women’s Subordination. Bhartiyam International Journal of
Education & Research, 5(4). http://www.gangainstituteofeducation.com/september/2.pdf
Sultana, A. (2012). Patriarchy and Women’s Subordination: A Theoretical Analysis. Arts
Faculty Journal, 4, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.3329/afj.v4i0.12929