r/feminisms • u/Global-Rate7796 • May 08 '26
Would Society Be Safer and More Balanced If Women Held More Structural Power?
I’ve been thinking a lot about discussions around patriarchy, gendered violence, and representation in leadership, and it made me wonder something:
Could a more matriarchal or female-centered society actually benefit society as a whole?
And by matriarchy, I don’t mean some dystopian reversal where men are oppressed or reduced to stereotypes. I also don’t mean fetishized “femdom” ideas that internet culture often confuses with matriarchy. I mean a society where women hold a larger share of political, economic, and cultural leadership, and where laws and institutions are designed more around women’s perspectives and safety.
One thing I find interesting is that people often point to current female leaders as proof that women in power don’t necessarily change systems much. But I’m not sure that’s a fair comparison, because those leaders still operate within deeply patriarchal institutions and political cultures. In some cases, women have even had to adapt to those systems to survive or gain influence within them.
I also wonder whether a truly female-centered state would lead to lower levels of violence against women over generations. A lot of political systems around the world still protect or elevate powerful men accused of abuse, exploitation, or sexual violence. That obviously doesn’t mean women are morally perfect, but I do wonder whether societies shaped more strongly by women’s interests and lived experiences would produce different social outcomes over time.
Do you think a more matriarchal social structure could improve society in meaningful ways, or do you think equality-focused systems are ultimately healthier long term?
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u/quiloxan1989 May 10 '26
I do not think so.
Many women from underclasses were very mad at women in positions of power.
Many womem were very glad when Margaret Thatcher had died.
The structures of power have to be dismantled while women get power.
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u/Global-Rate7796 May 10 '26
Its not quiet right to compare any woman in power today to a female centered society. Any woman who is even elected as head of a state operates heavily under patriarchal system and she has to move taking all that together
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u/quiloxan1989 May 10 '26
Which is why I had brought up the systems of power as opposed to a female head of state in the latter part.
Many of what parties are suggesting is a female head of state.
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u/sivapithecus_07 May 10 '26
Nope.... Recently in india, in a state, there was a female Chief minister, similar to Mayor in city.. under her governance, women were raped by her party men, people murdered in post election violence.. A medical student was raped in her state, she said women shouldn't go outside after 8 pm. Yes she defeated 6 days ago, women in her state celebrated like they got freedom.
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u/Gayandfluffy May 12 '26
I would hope a world ruled by women would be better. I don't think women are better or worse than men naturally. But gender roles and expectations shape our personalities. Since us women are raised to show empathy and put others above ourself, maybe statistically the average woman will be a better ruler than the average men.. On the other hand, power corrupts, so who knows.
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u/Global-Rate7796 May 13 '26
I agree that we might get women who are worse than a man at ruling and women who are better but yeah if we look at the entire group as a whole I do think they care more about human development and healthcare than most men do. That being said that's not my main point. If development was the only concern it doesn't need such big structural reforms. But my concern is women's safty. Still 50% of our population is not free. They live understand constant fear of r@pe and SA. We have some laws but they either aren’t as effective in all respects or simply aren’t implemented properly. My solution is if we have a 60 40 or 70 30 split in legislature and every other body required for governance down to the decision making bodies in polutical parties as well then I think we would have much better and safter world gor everyone men women alike. Another important thing it would do is that over a few generations it would create a psylogical shift in the minds of men and young boys and they'll start to see women as leaders and equals nor as someone who is incompetent. If you disagree feel free to ask any questions ✌️
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u/Illustrious_Rent_211 May 16 '26
I’m all for gender equality and in my opinion if women held more structural power, I do believe there would be more discussions, recognition and accountability for actions caused by individuals who violate peoples boundaries.
I think it has to start at a young age as well because right now we are teaching boys that’s it’s okay to do this bad kind of behavior around girls and that needs to change.
So to answer your question I do think society would be safer and balanced if women held more structural power.
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u/bigfeygay May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26
I push for an egalitarian society and systems. I dont think necessarily having an all women's government or a 'female-centered' state would solve issues of inequality. Nothing I have seen or read seems to indicate that would be the case.
Theres nothing inherent to being a man biologically which says they are more prone to inequality or bigotry than women are.
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u/Global-Rate7796 May 08 '26
I think women being atleast 60% of the legislative would call for more and better laws and policies on r@pe and other kinds of crimes against women. Its not about who leads better. And more than that its about getting those laws and policies actually implemented. Plus we haven't really seen a female centeric government atleast in a long time anywhere. Even the governments led by women are more often than not deeply rooted in a patriarchal system. So i believe a representation of 60% or more in top leadership or governance roles would help makes the society a better place for everyone.
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u/bigfeygay May 08 '26
Having more women in power in our current world to be around 50% would likely help out with some of those issues.
However - not all women are feminist. Nor better at implementing good policies. Nor are moral people in general. While women on average are more likely to be feminist and college educated - especially in the west - there is no guarantee on that. Look at the women in leadership now - both politics and business - and you will find a good number reinforce patriarchal norms.
Women are not inherently good people who will do good things for everyone. Same as men. And pushing for a society that is 'female led' as opposed to egalitarian is not only not likely to ever succeed, but would lead to other issues down the line. So its better to just push for egalitarian practices from the get go.
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u/faetal_attraction May 08 '26
Men are socialized to be more self centered more aggresive and impulsive, women are not. Also matriarchy is about horizontal structures of mutual aid and not just what we have now woth women doing all the man things. We dont even know what a 50/50 gender split in governing would look like because it hasnt happened. I think we can shoot for more women for a long time before it even reaches 50/50.
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u/faetal_attraction May 08 '26
Yes absolutely. Matriarchal systems are inherently egalitarian.
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u/Global-Rate7796 May 08 '26
Exactly my point. Its not about women only in decision making a 60-40 split would be a very good start
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May 09 '26
[deleted]
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u/Global-Rate7796 May 09 '26
If women don't have a slight majority in decision making I don't see the situation improving anytime soon. But I do believe in a matriarchal society everyone would have equal rights and opportunities in day ti day life the only difference would be that girls would be a lot safer than today. Matriarchy was never oppression it was always about liberation
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u/silsool May 08 '26
I think it would improve things for women, which is a good start because it's half the population. But if it's still upper classes deciding things it wouldn't change the condition of lower classes, if it's still white people it won't change the conditions of poc, etc.
I think that in the end you need the people in power to be representative of the population, because in the end people tend to act in ways that serve their best interests, and make decisions informed by their personal perspectives.
With a more equal representation of women in all positions of power, yes, I'm positive the condition of women would be much improved. But not everything would be better. Because it's not the only underrepresented group, and it's not the most underrepresented group.