The rise in shamelessly declared misogyny – understanding misogyny as hatred against women –, also monitored and presented by the Brazilian Public Security Yearbook, has a multifactorial basis. As I often say: structural problems need systemic solutions. The structures of our society that refer to women are the idea incorporated in laws, institutions, religions, economics, culture and other aspects (that's why it is structure) that men are, and should continue to be, superior and the owners of women and, consequently, of their bodies. Let us think about it: merely the idea created – perhaps in a metaphorical sense and used almost literally by some – based on what some religions consider, that a woman was made from a man's rib (it could be a more noble part, right?), says a lot about the configuration of our world and its morality.
I believe that we have made a lot of progress regarding gender equity, especially since the 1960s. Society and its institutions have begun to move to bring about these changes, largely supported by global actions such as those promoted by the UN – it is no coincidence that the Trump administration has attacked DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs so much, and there is an organized effort to discredit the UN (of course, this is not just because of the organization's fight for gender equity, but this is the dimension I am analyzing in this text). If we had not made progress, there would not be so much effort to move us back several steps. Why the attack? Being reductionist and realistic: because this alters the hierarchical order that I mentioned in the beginning. We can rely on religion to justify this hierarchy that benefits men – already mentioned as an example above; we may think of the benefits to the economy – women need to give birth so that there will be a sufficient number of people in the future to support the social security of countries (this is one example, but there are more); in morality – such as, for example, considering that the female body and what is understood as being a woman belong to men and their criteria, placing upon her the responsibility of being the family axis and having to care for and serve humanity – for free, we should point out. This translates, in practice, into putting up with everything, including a man who disrespects her or who commits various sorts of violence; for the sake of love and family; and so on.
Masculinities, plural. Are we ready?
This social phenomenon can be explained, as has often been noted, by unemployment and the loss of social importance that men have endured – yes, these are facts that can contribute to discomfort and social rage. But I think the point is that there is an incentive for hatred against women because it is as if we, women, have disobeyed the “divine” order – created by men, of course – to put them in a place of majesty all the time (I wrote a lot about this between 2013 and 2015).
Now let's move on to the greatest paradox that remains current and that has been one of the focuses of my studies: in Brazil, women see themselves as better than men – this is a deeply rooted and strengthened belief in society. How is it that, despite this founding belief, they coexist with and even feed sexism and misogyny? Because they have incorporated the idea that they are stronger, more intelligent and that, therefore, they need to "help" men become good beings. There is a belief that men are lost without women, because women are the moral support for them to continue without vices or deviations... We fell into the trap and here we are.
Power To. Is it asleep or dead?
Bearing it and caring so that the male ego is not wounded, upset, or sad. We forgive as if we were not only doing them a favor, but also exercising our nobility of soul. We accommodate things, even if it means being in a worse situation – we are strong, remember? – as long as our man can live with the idea that it is worth it. We think that they are, deep down, fragile beings who need our strength and support. Thus, as strong women, who generate the world and lead humanity, we open our home so that they always come back like the lost son who needs to return home to have a chance of saving himself. Oh... it might be beautiful, but isn't it, at the very least, a little stupid? If you think like me, then how do you get out of this trap? It is not through war or aggression, I’ll tell you now, but I will write more in the coming days about the ideas and experiences I have had in my attempts. casa para que eles voltem sempre como o filho perdido que precisa retornar ao lar para ter chance de se salvar. Ai, ai… pode ser lindo, mas não é, no mínimo, um pouco estúpido? Se pensa como eu, então, como sair dessa armadilha? Não é via guerra nem agressividade, já adianto, mas escrevo mais nos próximos dias sobre as ideias e experiências que tenho tido nas tentativas.
