On March 14, the New York Public Library (NYPL) hosted its Patriarchy Smasher event with British journalist, Angela Saini, in honor of Women’s History Month.
Saini, of Indian descent, discussed her new book, The Patriarchs: How Men Came to Rule/The Origins of Inequality (2023), with NYC based writer Nona Willis Aronowitz at NYPL.
“There are many different kinds of patriarchy, and its context differs based on where you are in the world,” Saini said.
In this book, Saini explores true roots of gendered oppression, uncovering a complex history of how male domination became embedded in societies and spread across the globe from prehistory into the present.
In a key point she made during the event, she placed emphasis on the fact that when gender equality is discussed, the major focus is on a male dominated world, which she says needs to change now.
“Each society is different. With this mindset, we marginalize any society that is not male-dominated,” she added.
Another key point she made pointed out that, “Women are involved everywhere, even now.”
Additionally, a third key point she made was that: “Patriarchy is not natural, it is institutionalized. To ditch it, we have to question everything.”
Saini wants everyone to remember two things: “Social tension is part of being human,” and in life, to “never take anything for granted.”
Those who are interested can find Saini’s book, available in the UK, US and Canada, here: https://www.angelasaini.co.uk/the-patriarchs.
