What are men afraid of?

Matrilineal societies are not about female domination

One of our closest relatives is a matrilineal society, the bonobos. That’s right, female bonobos determine who they mate with and who gets food first (the females and their kids). Do they do this by beating up the males, who are larger?

Nope. They do it by forming coalitions to keep males in check. When several females stare you down, you behave; no violence is required.

So why do human males fear a more egalitarian society where females have high status? The study of matrilineal societies that exist today suggests a lack of marital bonds, and not knowing if the kids are yours is a stumbling block. There are several matrilineal societies in existence today, societies where inheritance and lineage trace through the maternal line.

The Akan people of Ghana, the Minangkabau of Indonesia, the Garo Society in India, and the Mosuo of China are a few examples. Do women “dominate” in these societies? No, it’s more of a shared power.

What do women living in a matrilineal society experience? Less domestic violence and a greater ability to make decisions on their own. In addition, their children are healthier and better educated.

I don’t know about you, but this sounds like a good thing, not a bad thing. You know what’s a bad thing? Subordinating women in your society, or in other words, treating them like dirt.

If your society or country devalues women, you’re more likely to suffer from corruption and violence. You will be poorer, and your environment is likely to be toxic. You’re more likely to experience terrorism.

And the “you” applies to both men and women in that society or country. What men should be afraid of is the subordination of women because it’s not good for them, either. Everyone ultimately suffers, regardless of gender or age, including both men and women, as well as children.

Here’s a thought. Maybe instead of men fussing about the world’s declining birth rate in many parts of the world, they could focus on helping all the children in the world grow up healthier and better educated. Instead of blowing them to bits with bombs, and gunning them down while fighting over whose faction needs to rule.

Stop treating women like dirt and share the power. The statistics suggest that the world would be a better place for everyone if we had more matrilineal societies.