Questions and Topics We Can Help You Answering; 

Does Allan Johnson’s points about the individual’s relation to social systems like patriarchy enhance your understanding about how patriarchy operates in our society? What do you think about his example of individualistic versus more sociological perspectives on social problems like sexual violence towards women?

Alan Johnson asserts that it is the ongoing actions of individuals that make up systems, otherwise systems simply cannot exist. But he also takes care to note that the behaviors of individuals within systems is not always conscious. He writes: “The prominent place of misogyny in patriarchal culture, for example, doesn’t mean that every man and woman consciously hates all things female. But it does mean that to the extent that we don’t feel such hatred, it’s in spite of paths of least resistance contained in our culture. Complete freedom from such feelings and judgments is all but impossible…So when we hear or express sexist jokes and other forms of misogyny we may not recognize it, and even if we do, say nothing rather than risk other people thinking we’re ‘too sensitive’ or, especially in the case of men, ‘not one of the guys.’ In either case, we are involved, if only by our silence…” (103).

How do you interpret the passage from Johnson quoted in the paragraph above? Do you find yourself or others around you taking paths of least resistance or remaining silent when confronted by misogyny? How do you feel during such moments?