Patriarchy: Through My Eyes

So much is being said negatively about Patriarchy.

I have felt for many years that Patriarchy is massively misunderstood and that what we label Patriarchy is actually not patriarchy at all, but toxic masculinity. This article shares some of what true patriarchy means to me...

I come from a line of very strong women. I watched my mums ferocious, tenacious determination to not just survive, but thrive and break out of the poor life the system had in store for families like ours.

She decided she could do BAD all by her damn self, she worked morning to night to defy the stereotypes and rid herself of the NEED for any man - she was tough, resilient and a badass go-getter.

My mum was the man of the house when I was growing up

Then along comes Frederick Martin, He broke through every last one of the very high walls my mum had erected to protect her empire building ways. He adored her and I watch mum as she learned to trust that she didn't have to do it all alone

He honoured my mums extraverted industrial nature. And he saw HIS role was to create a strong safe secure relationship that enabled her mighty self expression.

I saw my mums mistrust of men melt away, at first VERY slowly... and then completely. I saw her as she learned to allow him in and allow herself to receive.

I saw him hold her in a way that freed her to BE...

He saw his role as my mum's defender, enabler protector. I saw my mum soften and sink into the safety of their relationship. I saw her exhale, heal, and expand in miraculous ways to make her difference. They were a team

Watching them reminded me of what I witnessed as a midwife -

I would see how the women that could, would lean in and lean on the strength of their man and as a result miraculously and elegantly grow in capacity to endure and stretch and elegantly birth what she carried within

This is what PATRIARCHY is supposed to look like to ME

What would it take for our patriarchal systems to function more effectively and authentically in the facilitation of WOMANITY?

And what is our role as women in senior leadership in supporting patriarchal systemic change and transformation?

Continue to rest in eternal peace Dad

About Dion Johnson, ex midwife and director in public services now helps women in positions of power to reclaim a strong personal sense of power, authority and confidence at work so they can show up, speak up and shake things up within their sphere of influence. Her book Influential Woman: A fresh approach to tackling inequality and leading change at work is receiving glowing reviews from readers around the world.