Originally Posted by Rose888
I get that it's easier in the short term to blame your situation on society, but I don't think it's going to help you in the long run.

You'll be much better off if you channel that energy into improving yourself and your relationship skills.


I've had this experience too. I didn't blame my problems on the great feminist conspiracy, but I did blame a lot of my own behaviour, my bad marriage, the troubles with my children and my health and wider family on class. The thing is - it is true - working class families in the UK are significantly disadvantaged in lots of ways and the outcomes for their working lives, marriages, children, mental and physical health are much worse. So perhaps there was some truth in my beliefs. Perhaps a lot of truth.

But none of that changed anything about my situation or how I felt about it. The only thing that did (and it has been a long slow process for me) is looking inwards then taking appropriate action. Not action to change the world, to start the socialist utopia, to dismantle the patriarchy (though it would be nice to do a couple of those things too!!) but to look closely at the micro-interactions in my own home, family and workplace and to take action to make sure I was acting healthily and setting boundaries that meant I would only accept healthy behaviour from others.

Looking outwards and trying to change society for the better is a brilliant ambition. Unless it's a way to deflect your individual responsibility. Then it keeps you stuck as a victim. None of your theories about high value women or anti-marriage culture are going to make you into a better husband or your wife into someone who wants you.