In 2014, my male friends pulled me into all this, but it was always painfully clear that the rules and beliefs surrounding the "patriarchal" system were deeply flawed. It felt like we were caught in a cycle of widespread manipulation and gaslighting that affected us all and continues to infect every generation. The idealized life that society taught us to aspire to was far from the complete truth.

Looking back at the "1950s" (a broad term often used by the Manosphere to describe an idealized reality), it becomes apparent that the lives of both men and women during that time were heavily influenced by the experiences of their parents and grandparents who had endured significant hardships during the Great Depression and World War II. These global crises brought forth widespread generational trauma, characterized by financial struggles, food scarcity, broken homes, and more.

Unfortunately, during those eras, there was a lack of sufficient understanding or support to address the psychological consequences of such traumatic experiences, resulting in issues like dissociation, depersonalization, and symptoms of PTSD being largely unaddressed. I believe that some of the false realities perpetuated today may stem from these delusions and trauma-based amnesia, but that is a discussion for another day.

Throughout the 1950s, traditional gender roles were firmly established, with men expected to be the primary breadwinners and women relegated to domestic responsibilities. However, it is essential to recognize that society, still grappling with the aftermath of the Great Depression and the trauma from World War II, was not prepared or equipped to embrace change. Many families were still recovering from economic struggles, trauma, malnutrition, and vivid memories of war.

As a direct consequence of the war, men were often absent, leaving women to shoulder not only their traditional tasks but also assume the responsibilities typically assigned to men. Additionally, women took on the immense challenge of caring for children and managing household chores. While men were away protecting the country, women carried the weight of responsibility at home, creating a generation that was deeply fractured and ill-equipped to raise a healthy generation themselves.

The war completely shattered social structures, leading to new employment opportunities for women. However, it also resulted in the separation of men from their families, leading to challenges and difficulties such as children growing up without both parents present. During this time, women gained a taste of independence and fulfillment outside of their traditional gender roles, exemplified by figures like Rosie the Riveter.

It was during this era that feminism began to emerge as a natural byproduct of these changes and experiences. The patriarchal system never had a chance because it never planned for the trauma that swallowed it. It was a flawed plan no matter how you spin it, thus why I also think that Christian's forcing society to follow God en masse is also a flawed idea, but that, too, is a conversation for another day.

The issue lies in the fact that various movements within the Manosphere perpetuate an idealized version of a society that never truly existed. They selectively cherry-pick and distort historical context, oversimplifying the broader picture of why our society is the way it is today. Just as the creation and overall "movement" of the Manosphere has been.

Blaming "Western" women for these issues is misguided, as the root causes are far more complex. Women in contemporary times were raised by parents who may have been absent due to war or other factors, resulting in latchkey kids and broken family structures. Everyone coped and then forgot about the copes when it was all said and done. People tried to cling onto a reality that's never been the complete truth.

This is a systemic and generational problem that requires healing and therapy at a societal level. It goes beyond individual issues, but unfortunately, many people are unwilling to confront this reality. Instead, we find solace in constructing new narratives that oversimplify the complexity of the situation we face today. This is why the Manosphere and other movements that counter it will inevitably lead to war.

Thus the cycle repeats.