The Feminized Society (Part 1)

This will be the first post in a four-part series examining a growing trend in America and the rest of the world - the feminization of society. 

Men and women have radically different ways of looking at and approaching the world. Similarly, individual societies tend to reflect either a masculine or feminine view of the world. Increasingly, modern society is becoming more and more feminized.

A feminized society is a society where the dominant political and social institutions are characterized by predominately female modes of expression.

In practice, this means that a feminized society is softer, gentler, more emotional, and more civilized than a masculine society – with all good and ill that entails.

The specific forms which this feminizing of society takes include:

1) Conflict is resolved increasingly through the means of dialogue and diplomacy, and less by means of violence and war.

2) Political argument increasingly relies on emotional appeal, and less on logic and rhetoric.

3) The functions of government focus less on enforcing order and more on ensuring equality and care for underprivileged classes.

4) Feminine virtues such as self-esteem, caring, and love are emphasized, while masculine virtues such as honor, dignity, and courage are deemphasized.

5) Women increasingly hold the balance of power in society and are treated as the superior gender.

6) Men lose their place in society and are treated as the inferior gender.

Modern societies increasingly reflect these characteristics. This marks a change from previous societies, most of which tended towards patriarchy.

Why did this shift towards a feminized society take place? There are several reasons. Here are the most important of the several confluences which led to this type of society.

1) The sexual revolution, sparked by the widespread adoption of birth control, provided women a way to avoid forming families, allowing women to delay childbearing and enter the workforce without

interruption.

2) The widespread prosperity wrought by the aftermath of the World War II created a climate of privilege and entitlement. Men tend to become soft in such societies; women tend to thrive in such societies.

3) A generation raised in hardship and pain (during the Great Depression) wanted to give their children opportunities they never had.

4) The teachings of a new group of thinkers during the postwar “baby boom,” including Dr. Benjamin Spock, involved a gentler version of childcare, more suited to the needs of women than men.

5) Advances in technology, so to speak, “civilized society” – again, creating an advantage for women.

6) The workplace adopted jobs requiring social skills and less on brute muscle power – increasingly favoring women in the workplace.

The feminization of society has drastic consequences for society, which will be explored in future posts.