It’s 2025: Why Are We Still Debating Basic Respect?

It’s March 2025, and it’s Women’s History Month – at least in some places. But I am

confused. I don’t usually comment publicly on political news. Privately, well…

Anyway, about the confusion. The media is constantly featuring the consequences of

political decisions based on values. There seems to be a consensus that prevailing

values in the United States constitute a “bro culture” of traditional masculine values. And

a fervent energetic attempt to stifle feminist values. Public opinion differs on whether

that is a good thing.

As it happens, the topic for my men’s domestic abuse intervention group this week is

values. So I’m paying more attention than usual to the news of the current dichotomy

of values. The part of our curriculum on male privilege points out the following traditional

patriarchal values.

Be (or act) tough and strong.

Be the rule-maker.

Be very competitive, and win.

Use aggression as necessary to get your way or win.

Be the provider.

Engage in sexual prowess.

Do nothing traditionally feminine, which would be considered emotional,

weak, vulnerable, submissive.

Though current partisan factions have less consensus on what are feminist values,

feminists themselves work for ...

Empowerment: Supporting and enabling individuals, particularly women, to

have control over their own lives, make informed decisions, and access

opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Combating Gender-Based Violence: Addressing and preventing violence

directed at individuals based on their gender, including domestic violence, sexual

harassment, and human trafficking.

Intersectionality/kyiarchy: Recognizing that individuals experience overlapping

forms of discrimination or privilege based on race, class, sexuality,

disability, and other identities, and addressing these interconnected systems of

oppression.

Social Justice: Addressing and rectifying systemic inequalities and advocating

for fair treatment and equal opportunities for all, especially marginalized

groups.

Bodily Autonomy: Ensuring individuals can freely make decisions about their

own bodies.

Gender Equality: Advocating for equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities

for individuals of all genders, realizing all of us develop from xx chromosomes.

The patriarchal values produce a hierarchy of winners and losers, of haves and

have-nots, of oppression to ensure that the hierarchy reigns.

Feminist values foster a society where all individuals, regardless of gender, can

enjoy equal rights, opportunities, and respect.

Here is my confusion.

How can anyone justify being opposed to equality and respect?