I remember learning in a college anthropology class about a small matriarchal tribe where they found there had never been any cases of postpartum depression and it was because of the community that surrounded and supported mothers due to the matriarchy, suggesting it’s not hormonal as much as a consequence of patriarchy and lack of support. Stuck with me forever
wow that's so fascinating! yeah I'm curious how much of our "biology" as women would be different if we weren't living under a forced regime of patriarchy. It's made me question who I would even be if I lived in a matriarchy
Yeah I’m eternally highly suspicious of women’s physical/ mental/ emotional states being solely attributed to HoRmONeS. In my 40s I see a lot of stuff about peri-menopause and “mid-life burnout” blah blah and I’m like: bro, we’re usually doing the lion’s share of caring for aging incapacitated parents while also doing the lion’s share of parenting while also doing the lion’s share of household labour, while also holding down paid jobs so of course we’re fucking grumpy and exhausted all the time. What a crock to attribute everything hormones. Shut up and do your share of the work.
Beautifully written and thank you for verbalising what I've been thinking re- Barbie and it turning patriarchy on its head. Reading your piece has also made me think about Naomi Alderman's book The Power - which also showes a flipped patriarchy rather than the matrilineal society you describe.
Brilliant. Makes me want to research matriarchy and related subjects more. Also, there is an engrained feeling, a subconscious knowledge that has always been there in me, that always made me reject patriarchy which is uncomfortable for me.
Thank you for eloquently communicating what I believe many of us are feeling but don’t have the words to adequately convey to others. Keep shining your light on these topics - you’ve turned me into a gender studies fiend - I love reading your work!
The book The Island of Sea Women was the first book I read that had a matriarchal society. It was beautiful and everyone’s needs were met until the island was colonized. ❤️
I couldn't love this more. This makes me want to do a second degree in gender studies. Brilliant. No notes. Thank you Liz!
1 Million Percent!
i felt that same love for my gender studies program writing it so i'm so glad it's mutual :)
I remember learning in a college anthropology class about a small matriarchal tribe where they found there had never been any cases of postpartum depression and it was because of the community that surrounded and supported mothers due to the matriarchy, suggesting it’s not hormonal as much as a consequence of patriarchy and lack of support. Stuck with me forever
wow that's so fascinating! yeah I'm curious how much of our "biology" as women would be different if we weren't living under a forced regime of patriarchy. It's made me question who I would even be if I lived in a matriarchy
Your man enough episode with Dr Gabor Mate had me thinking same thing. Would I even have autoimmune diseases if I grew up in a matriarchy?
Yeah I’m eternally highly suspicious of women’s physical/ mental/ emotional states being solely attributed to HoRmONeS. In my 40s I see a lot of stuff about peri-menopause and “mid-life burnout” blah blah and I’m like: bro, we’re usually doing the lion’s share of caring for aging incapacitated parents while also doing the lion’s share of parenting while also doing the lion’s share of household labour, while also holding down paid jobs so of course we’re fucking grumpy and exhausted all the time. What a crock to attribute everything hormones. Shut up and do your share of the work.
Beautifully written and thank you for verbalising what I've been thinking re- Barbie and it turning patriarchy on its head. Reading your piece has also made me think about Naomi Alderman's book The Power - which also showes a flipped patriarchy rather than the matrilineal society you describe.
Brilliant. Makes me want to research matriarchy and related subjects more. Also, there is an engrained feeling, a subconscious knowledge that has always been there in me, that always made me reject patriarchy which is uncomfortable for me.
this knowing is so so so crucial! and it feels sort of like self-gaslighting that we aren't in touch with this truth about the world and ourselves
Exactly! Self-gaslighting, I like that and describes it well.
Thank you for eloquently communicating what I believe many of us are feeling but don’t have the words to adequately convey to others. Keep shining your light on these topics - you’ve turned me into a gender studies fiend - I love reading your work!
thank you sharing that feels so good to hear!!
Brilliant. Thank you, Liz!
The book The Island of Sea Women was the first book I read that had a matriarchal society. It was beautiful and everyone’s needs were met until the island was colonized. ❤️