Deconstructing Male-Dominated Society

Our conversation about women's labor brings up many other topics we have talked about in class, further illustrating how the fight for equality encompasses supporting all who are facing discrimination and disadvantages, and until all the structures that uphold misogynistic society are deconstructed, this fight will and must continue. We discussed how the 3rd wave of Feminism encompasses supporting all women and their right to their own decisions as individuals, rather than movements for equality that only included certain people based on lifestyle expectations and personal identity. Through our look at history, it is clear that progress will not be made without inclusivity and acknowledging the reverberating effects and importance of movements for all.

The protests in Iceland highlight the progress of movements to include multidisciplinary efforts and support, encompassing anyone whose basic equity is obstructed by societal and institutional structures. Women and non-binary individuals walked out against gender inequalities in the workplace, home, and beyond. I found it particularly compelling when talking about unpaid labor, of which women contribute 75%, which is not counted as part of a country's Gross Domestic Product, which calculates the market value for goods and services provided in a country to asses its overall economic health. When the data of unpaid labor is calculated in, it wasn't surprising to see that the country’s GDP would significantly increase. Women contribute significantly to the success of a nation, but their efforts are fundamentally undervalued.

The idea that men are normal and women are special has defined our society for centuries, with men regarded as the default of experience. This is highlighted in the discrepancy of research and reporting data on marginalized groups, especially in blind studies, which results in warped and inequitable regard for others within male-dominated systems. By ignoring specific experiences and challenges of women and other marginalized groups, the impact inadvertently reinforces the status quo and supports an incomplete understanding and lack of initiative to address systemic disparities. Experiences of marginalized groups, whether natural or because of systems in place, should not be viewed as “different” as they are crucial to a broad understanding of human culture.