Sorry, girls, that’s the way it always was, that’s the way it still is.
Among great apes – of which we, we humans, are one – males typically dominate, females typically submit. Not always. There are nuances and differences. Still, the principle mostly holds.
Over eons nothing much has changed. From pre-human history throughout human history the situation remains generally the same. World affairs are conducted and controlled nearly entirely by males. Most obviously wars. Males, men, are big on war. Either they love it or for other reasons are driven to engage in it. Maybe both.
The war in Europe between Russia and Ukraine is spearheaded by men. The war in the Middle East between Hamas and Israel is spearheaded by men. And though I’m no expert on Africa I have every reason to believe that the wars in Africa are spearheaded if not entirely by men, then nearly so.
Most Americans don’t pay much if any attention to Africa. Still, it should be noted that Africa now has more armed discord than at any time since at least 1946. “An unprecedented explosion of conflicts” is carving “a trail of death and destruction across the breadth of Africa – from Mali near the continent’s western edge all the way to Somalia on its eastern Horn.” *
What gives? Why have men always done this and why do they still? At the most fundamental level, going back to prehistory, males have wanted to dominate if not conquer for sex, for procreation and pleasure, and for territory, to maintain power and exercise control. In his book, Why We Fight, Christopher Blattman, list additional reasons for going to war, such as leaders whose interests remain unchecked, high levels of fear and uncertainty, and misperceptions in every direction. Whatever the specifics though, the generality applies. With few exceptions it’s men who start wars and, notwithstanding some women in some militaries, it’s men who fight wars. When it comes to matters of war and peace, fact is that women and of course children remain mostly at the mercy of men.
But no need for war for Americans, especially now, to be aware of how male-dominated remains their culture. Not just our political culture, our culture more generally. President Donald Trump is driven every moment of every day to prove just how manly he is. His nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, is likely to be confirmed by the male dominated Senate despite his wretched record, personal and professional, when it comes to females. Tech bros from Elon Musk on down now loom large not only over their own domains but over ours. Trump has elevated the status of Dana White, chief executive officer of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, beyond anything he, or we, could have imagined. And, of course, abortion which used to be legal in every American state is now in many states illegal or ridiculously, unconscionably, difficult to obtain.
To all this our response – the response of women to what men are doing – is shall we say, muted. First time Trump was elected president, in 2016, at least we said something and did something. We protested loudly and proudly. This time around nada, zilch. Seems we’ve been stunned into silence – which means we’ve been stunned into submission.
I’m pretty savvy when it comes to the subject of women and leadership. It’s soil I’ve tilled for years. So, I’m not shocked that we are where we are. But I am surprised.
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*https://www.wsj.com/world/africa/africa-has-entered-a-new-era-of-war-c6171d8e