Breaking Cycles: Challenging Patriarchy in Everyday Life

What if you overheard someone cracking a joke at a family gathering, mocking women as "emotional" or "bad drivers"? What would you do? Would you laugh along awkwardly or let the silence pass?

I’d do neither. I’d say, “That’s not funny—what’s funny about reducing someone’s worth to a stereotype?” Sure, it might create tension, but isn’t it better than letting yet another sexist remark go unchecked? These seemingly harmless comments are the seeds of a bigger problem, perpetuating ideas that hold women back in every sphere of life.

What If You Witnessed Sexism in the Workplace?

Imagine you’re in a meeting, and a female colleague shares a brilliant idea. Instead of acknowledging it, someone interrupts her or dismisses her point with a condescending joke. Would you stay quiet, not wanting to seem disruptive?

I wouldn’t. I’d say, “I think her idea deserves our attention. Let’s hear her out fully.” Small moments like these show that you value her voice, and they challenge the culture of dismissiveness that women often face in professional settings.

What If Your Son Made a Sexist Joke?

Picture this: You hear your teenage son joking with his friends, saying something like, “Women belong in the kitchen.” What would you do? Would you shrug it off as “boys being boys”?

I wouldn’t. I’d call him into the kitchen and say, “Let’s cook dinner together tonight. You’ll see that ‘belonging’ here has nothing to do with gender—it’s about responsibility and care.” By involving him, I’d turn the moment into a lesson, helping him understand the value of respect and equality.

What If Leadership Bias Showed Up in Your Community?

Suppose you’re at a local community meeting, and a woman stands up to share her concerns. Her ideas are sound, but you notice others dismissing her, whispering, or exchanging glances. Would you let it slide, assuming it’s “just how things are”?

I wouldn’t. I’d speak up: “She’s making a valid point. Let’s focus on the ideas, not who’s presenting them.” By actively supporting women in leadership, I’d challenge the narrative that leadership is a man’s domain.

What If a Young Boy Questioned Gender Advocacy?

Now imagine you’re mentoring a group of teenagers, and a boy raises his hand to say, “Why do we always blame men? Women make mistakes too.” Would you brush it off or feel defensive?

I’d engage him thoughtfully: “You’re right—no one is perfect. But historically, men have held more power, and with power comes responsibility. We’re asking for fairness, not blame.” I’d help him see that equality benefits everyone, not just women.

What If You Could Rewrite the Story?

Patriarchy is a system built on repetition—repeated jokes, repeated norms, repeated silences. But what if, in each of these moments, we chose a different path? What if, instead of laughing, we called out the joke? What if we amplified women’s voices? What if we raised our sons to value respect over dominance?

These “what ifs” are not just hypothetical; they’re actionable. And every time we choose to act, we chip away at the foundations of a system that has persisted for far too long.

So ask yourself: What would you do? And then decide to do it. Because when you act, you’re not just standing up for yourself—you’re shaping a world where future generations won’t have to ask, “What if?” They’ll live the reality of equality we fought to create.