Patriarchy emerged as societies transitioned from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to agricultural ones, leading to land ownership and the need for its protection. Males, perceived as protectors, began to dominate, fostering a sense of ownership over both land and women. This shift was further entrenched by the rise of religious structures that favored male authority, linking divine and royal power to male dominance. To promote gender equality, it is essential to dismantle stereotypes starting in educational institutions, emphasizing that the perceived differences between male and female brains are unfounded as research shows no significant discrepancies. Real progress requires challenging the learned stereotypes that perpetuate inequality.
It's human nature to form groups — families, friends, online communities. We love to be surrounded by people similar to us.
But that can also make us discriminatory and defensive. And social media makes that instinct worse.
Today, we look at how our brains evolved to connect and divide, and what that means for the problems we face in our modern world.
This episode was first broadcast in April 2023.
Looking for something to listen to next? Check out another All in the Mind episode, The Certainty Myth.