Exploring Male Oppression from a Family–Systems Perspective

Abstract

This article explores sexual inequality and oppression from a family-systems perspective. This perspective was adopted to encourage a more balanced and less prejudiced examination of these issues and to avoid the usual and limiting villain-victim conceptualization. The ideas in this article were originally prepared for a conference on the equality of men and women that was designed to help both sexes better understand each other’s perspective. The article draws parallels between adolescent sex role development and the current evolutionary stage of our society. It offers examples of how both men and women are oppressed, albeit differently, and how the oppression of one sex directly results in the oppression of the other sex. The implications of achieving equality for both world peace and individual intrapsychic unity are outlined.