System Failure: Why American Patriarchy is the Enemy of Civil Liberties & Self-Sovereignty
I recently published two articles—Power & Control: Constructs of the Self-Deceived and Who Do You Think You Are—both of which explore how individuals perceive themselves through the constructed lenses of their internal and external experiences. As often happens when I write, this reflection led me to think more deeply about the societal systems that influence the individual.
I’m fortunate to frequently engage in conversations with people who have traveled the world. In one such discussion, we explored how the Nordic countries approach law, culture, and social norms. That conversation sparked a series of “what if” questions and inspired deeper thought.
In casual conversation, it became clear that the Nordic countries have built societal systems around the principle of gender parity—in all of its forms. For example:
Parental leave is granted to both parents.
Equal pay is more closely aligned (at least compared to the U.S.).
Political leadership is more representative of the population it serves.
As always, I turned to my friend ChatGPT to help validate my instincts with some quick research. Here are a few data points that stood out:
Finland- In 2024, women held 85.2% of seats in Parliament. Women have served as head of state for a total of 16.7 years in the past 50 years. Finland offers 320 days of paid parental leave, equally divided between parents. Women earn approximately 80% of what men earn, with government policies in place to close the gap.
Norway- Women have served as head of state for 18.1 years over the past 50 years, showing a consistent presence in top leadership. Parents are entitled to 49 weeks of paid parental leave at full pay or 59 weeks at 80% pay, with 15 weeks reserved for each parent.
Sweden- Women held 45.6% of seats in Parliament. Sweden provides 480 days of paid parental leave per child, with 90 days reserved exclusively for each parent. Women earn approximately 87% of what men earn, and policies are actively working to close the gap.
Denmark- Women occupied 44.7% of seats in Parliament. Parents are granted 52 weeks of parental leave per child, split evenly between them, with 160 working days each. Women earn approximately 85% of what men earn, reflecting significant progress in reducing the pay gap.
Iceland- Women held 48% of seats in Parliament. Iceland offers 9 months of paid parental leave: 3 months reserved for each parent, plus 3 shared months. Women earn approximately 87% of what men earn.
I could continue citing additional examples that came up in my brief research, but this was enough to confirm my initial gut feeling: the Nordic countries are what I would now consider post-patriarchal.
To provide full context, here’s how ChatGPT defines that term:
📘 Definition: Post-patriarchal “Post-patriarchal” describes a society that has significantly reduced or moved beyond traditional patriarchal systems—where men historically held dominant power in politics, moral authority, social privilege, and property rights. It does not mean patriarchy has been eradicated, but rather that:
Legal and institutional barriers to gender equality have largely been dismantled.
Women and men have equal rights under the law.
There is widespread societal support for gender equality.
Gender roles are more fluid, and traditional hierarchies are weakened.
In contrast, I would argue that the United States remains deeply embedded in patriarchal systems. In fact, I believe our current societal frameworks are rigged for individual failure—regardless of gender—and that they liberally suppress our civil liberties and our right to self-sovereignty. I know that’s a strong statement—but hear me out.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, patriarchal refers to “a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it.” Let’s apply the same lens I used with the Nordic countries and look at a few quick U.S. data points, also provided by ChatGPT:
United States
As of 2025, women hold 33.2% of state legislative seats—a record high, but far from parity.
In 2024, women made up 29% of Congress and held fewer than 20% of leadership roles in Fortune 500 companies.
The U.S. still lacks national paid family leave. As of 2023, only 23% of civilian workers had access to paid family leave (U.S. Dept. of Labor).
In 2023, women earned 84 cents for every dollar earned by men (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Women are overrepresented in lower-paying fields (education, caregiving) and underrepresented in high-paying STEM roles.
Now that you’ve seen the data, you might still be wondering: Why should I care?
Let me answer that, first academically, with a few more quick data points from ChatGPT:
Economic Growth-Closing gender gaps in labor force participation and leadership could significantly benefit the U.S. economy. According to a 2023 McKinsey & Company study, narrowing these gaps could boost U.S. GDP by approximately $475 billion over two years, primarily by increasing female labor-force participation and encouraging a shift toward higher-productivity sectors.
Political Leadership- Increasing women’s representation in leadership honors the principle of “consent of the governed” and ensures that policymaking is inclusive and reflective of the full population. While progress has been made, women are still underrepresented—especially in areas like defense, foreign policy, and fiscal governance.
Even if we agree that these disparities limit both our economy and society, I’d argue this still doesn’t go far enough. My core stance is this: our current patriarchal systems are designed to undermine civil liberties and self-sovereignty. Here’s why that matters:
Political Representation Is Essential to Civil Liberties
Representation matters. An increase in female political leadership is vital for crafting legislation that reflects diverse experiences and addresses key issues like reproductive rights, education, and equitable healthcare. Gender-based violence remains widespread in the U.S., and legal outcomes often reveal systemic bias. Reproductive rights and parental leave are persistently marginalized in legislative priorities.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility... promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity…” — Preamble to the U.S. Constitution (1787)
Sectarian Moral Codes Are Superseding Civil Rights
U.S. policy continues to be shaped by sectarian religious values, not civil liberties. Policies like abstinence-only sex education, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and restrictive reproductive laws prioritize religious morality over individual autonomy. This shouldn't be about your political party, nor your personal values- you are an American living in the "land of the free". These laws don't just restrict civil rights; they impose values—often under the guise of moral authority—onto deeply personal decisions.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” — First Amendment, U.S. Constitution (1791)
Economic Inequality Limits Freedom and Innovation
Persistent gender pay gaps and occupational segregation result in financial dependency, especially for women. This dependency limits independence, reinforces outdated gender norms, and reduces opportunities for self-expression and innovation. True equality requires economic self-determination, which is still out of reach for many due to the structural inequalities embedded in our systems.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal… with certain unalienable Rights… Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” — Declaration of Independence (1776)
The United States remains tethered to patriarchal frameworks that actively contradict the liberties promised by our founding documents. Tthese systems prioritize control over freedom.
As I wrote in my Power & Control article:
“Power and control are facades, built on a fragile and weak foundation. True power arises from the internal mastery of self and the recognition that the only thing you can truly control is yourself. As the old adage goes: “Only the self is yours to command—everything else is borrowed illusion.”
U.S. patriarchal systems breach civil liberties and suppress self-sovereignty. The illusion of external control—whether through systems or government institutions—is not a sign of legitimate authority. It’s a mask for insecurity.
Systems built to dominate rather than empower violate the core American principles of liberty, autonomy, and self-governance. Until we dismantle them, we will remain a nation that speaks of individual freedom while legislating system control.
The time to evolve into a post-patriarchal society isn’t just now—it was long overdue. The patriarchal order is a relic that’s already failed us; the continued dominance of patriarchal systems is a failure of progress, justice, and collective conscience. We have lingered in outdated systems far too long; the moment for radical transformation is here. It’s long past time to reject it and build a society that lives up to the promise of America’s founding—real liberty, equal rights, and justice for all.