CW: chapter 2 contains a detailed description of child abuse by a parent
Hello comrades, it’s time for our second discussion thread for The Will to Change, covering Chapters 2 (Understanding Patriarchy) and 3 (Being a Boy). Thanks to everyone who participated last week, I’m looking forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts again. And if you’re just joining the book club this week, welcome!
In Ch.2 hooks defines patriarchy, how it is enforced by parental figures and society at large, and the struggle of antipatriarchal parents to raise children outside of these rigid norms when the border culture is so immersed in them. Ch.3 delves deeper into the effects of patriarchy on young boys and girls and the systemic apparatuses that reinforce gender norms.
If you haven’t read the book yet but would like to, its available free on the Internet Archive in text form, as well as an audiobook on Youtube with content warnings at the start of each chapter, courtesy of the Anarchist Audio Library, and as an audiobook on our very own TankieTube! (note: the YT version is missing the Preface but the Tankietube version has it)
As always let me know if you’d like to be added to the ping list!
Our next discussion will be on Chapters 4 (Stopping Male Violence) and 5 (Male Sexual Being), beginning on 12/11.
Great chapters! Again, I really am enjoying the audiobook, the reader’s voice is powerful yet kind, in a way that really drives home what I believe is Hooks’ intended tone.
Some thoughts:
I really loved the explanation of how patriarchy is reinforced through social pressures and tools like laughter, rather than reason. Shame is the tool of the oppressive system. I also felt that the sections on male rage as an outlet for patriarchy’s pressures on men strikes incredibly true and straight at the reality of the violence on women and other men alike.
The anecdote about marbles was heartbreaking as well, but very powerful in illustrating how even though women are the primary target of patriarchy, even men who are forced to adopt a privledged role are psychologically damaged and hurt by it as well, fueling an endless cycle of systemic violence that circles back into bottled up emotions and pent up rage.
Excited to read what others have to say! I’m not too good at giving my thoughts, this is my first time participating in reading threads, but I promise I’ll get better!