By the Wiki entry, we live in a patriarchy. Here's the generic definition:

in modern times, it more generally refers to social systems in which power is primarily held by adult men.

I wrote this as a response in the YSK thread that nom-nom-nom linked to and thought you all might appreciate it.

It's true that current societies are predominantly ruled by men. They are also predominantly democratic societies where almost all individuals can put themselves forward as an option for ruling.

THAT is equality of opportunity. Women CAN put themselves into politics. Australia has a lot of women in politics, with plenty in power at the moment, such as our PM, Julia Gillard, our Governer-General (chosen by our last PM Kevin Rudd) Quentin Bryce, Senator for SA and Minister for Finance and Deregulation Penny Wong, Chief Minister for the ACT Katy Gallagher... Those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

If women are NOT putting themselves forward, it is counter-productive to assume that it's caused by sexism. It might well be, but conducting research would be far better as you're more likely to find actual reasons, and yes, that might be sexism, but at least you'd KNOW rather than have ASSUMED.

The same goes for all other high-paying jobs that feminists want women in. They never argue for women to do the shitty, dangerous, unglamorous jobs that men fill, like garbage collectors, council men who're responsible for checking kangaroo carcasses for joey's, roadworkers or anything like it.

All I ever see is "women have it SOOOO bad, and it's ALL the fault of MEN!" (with the exception of egalitarians who call themselves feminists).

Want equality? You have it. Stand up and take it.