Agreed — and I like that term. I’ve written about it a little bit but want to do another story about how the constant competition for pecking order in a patriarchy actually fosters insecurity and discourages an actual sense of self, since one is always seeking validation from the outside rather than cultivating your own inner knowing and worth. You end up with a culture of way too many entitled brats pulling the wings off of flies in order to get some sense of power, rather than grown-ups acting that way. This can apply to women to some extent, but it’s much, much worse for males because empathy is so actively discouraged and ruthless independence is so encouraged.

Might have to write that later, now that I’ve gotten my thesis voiced a bit more here. Thanks!