The Patriarchy Influences Children from a Very Young Age

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Gender is largely a social construct, and the impact of patriarchy on children can be severe. Girls experience trauma in adolescence, learning to over-accommodate and resent societal expectations. On the other hand, boys are pressured to suppress their emotions from a young age. Breaking free from these patriarchal norms can be challenging, as societal codes are deeply ingrained.

Writer Ben James and his wife Oona are raising their sons in a progressive and “queer-friendly” New England town. They actively encourage the boys to be themselves, never mind those traditional gender norms around “masculinity” and “femininity.” All was well. Until the elder son, Huck, went to sixth grade. Story by Ben James, with hosts Celeste Headlee and John Biewen, and psychologist Terrence Real.

Music by Alex Weston, Evgueni and Sacha Galperine, Blue Dot Sessions, and Kevin MacLeod. Music and production help from Joe Augustine at Narrative Music.