Society's Game

Allan G. Johnson explores the patriarchal culture that engulfs society within in his chapter, “Patriarchy, the System: An It, Not a He, a Them, or an Us.” It is interesting to note that the author is a man, unlike the previous material that was read for this class. Johnson appears to understand the oppression that women face on a daily basis. This chapter dose not directly bash men or ignore the oppression that exists to women, which is why it appeals to both genders. Unlike numerous authors, Johnson more often blames society collectively verses each individual for this systemic problem. Individuals participate in this systemic approach both consciously and subconsciously. He uniquely parallels this type of a society with the popular board game, Monopoly. Monopoly provides certain rules and guidelines that individuals must follow. It is this focus on winning that blinds the participants to the consequences of others. Throughout the game, as well as in daily life, individuals often choose paths of least resistance. The choice paths are often dictated by societal norms and greed.

Johnson focuses on the interrelationship between societal norms and the choices of individuals. How is it that bias laws have been removed yet oppression continues? Perhaps taking the path of least resistance is not the solution. Throughout his chapter he puts significant blame on capitalism. Individuals need to make choices that are beneficial to themselves yet are not destructive towards others. When one focuses on winning, “greed”, society is often punished. Individuals cannot look to current day “society” for the solutions. Each individual needs to make their own choices based on the effects towards oneself as well as others.

Marilyn Frye, in her article, “Oppression”, explores a similar systemic view of oppression. Instead of focusing on Monopoly, Frye offers the analogy of a cage. Frye agrees that oppression is a major societal issue. She explains that all individuals are locked in separate cages. In order to see these cages, individuals must step back and examine roadblocks within today’s society. Individuals become molded into the roles that they have been assigned by society. Frye focuses on the importance of the average individual instead of exceptions within the norms. My friend’s mother grew up in communist China. At age sixteen, Mao died. She had previously been assigned to be a field worker on the farms. With the disruption of communism pages, she made the choice to pursue her education. Today she is a professor of international business at a university in the United States. One can view her as the exception or one can view her as a woman who was freed when the cage doors were unlocked. It is often difficult to differentiate exceptions that break out of the cage from individuals who take advantage of opportunities. In either case, one needs to be aware of his/her environment and potential opportunities. There will always be Horatio Algers, individuals who move from rags to riches. These individuals are not Frye’s primary concern. Frye is concerned with the masses that remain in the roles that society has set forth. Throughout her argument, she is trying to distinguish between the oppressed and the oppressor. A systemic problem exists in which both the oppressed and the oppressor are locked in assigned roles. The communication between these two groups must develop and the doors of these cages need be open. The issue is to create opportunities which give all individuals the ability to make healthy decisions while not limiting others