The U.S. Constitution intentionally excluded women from political participation, defining power for men only. This foundational decision means the country began as what author Anna Malaika Tubbs defines as "American patriarchy," not a true democracy where power is vested in all people.

The societal message that women should be quieter or less bold is a historical strategy for control. This fear is rooted in the perceived "safety" of conforming to unnatural, prescribed roles, making women believe the problem is with them, not the system.

Malala attributes her unique journey not to her own special qualities, but to her father's choice to allow her to be an activist when other fathers stopped their daughters. This highlights the crucial role men play in dismantling patriarchy through active support and non-interference.

While young men may be fans, it's their mothers who are the most effective supporters and advocates for addressing the issues facing them. Mothers see firsthand when their sons are struggling compared to their daughters, making them a powerful and credible cohort for advancing the conversation productively.

Women are often taught that there is virtue in not taking credit and staying in the background. This social conditioning encourages self-erasure, preventing them from claiming their power and perpetuating a system where their contributions are overlooked.

Citing the Global Media Monitoring Project, data shows men are quoted as experts 75% of the time. This isn't just a fairness issue; it leads to narrower, less interesting stories by repeatedly amplifying the same perspectives and reinforcing systemic biases about who holds authority.

Dr. Shefali defines patriarchy not as a conscious conspiracy by men, but as an unconscious, systemic set of beliefs that subjugates women. Crucially, women co-create and perpetuate this system by internalizing its lies—seeking external validation, striving for perfection, and silencing their own voices to serve cultural norms.

A newsroom's "DNA"—its ingrained sense of what constitutes a front-page story—often remains male-centric even with a woman in charge. Deep-seated biases that value topics like policy over childcare persist, meaning systemic change requires more than just a change in leadership.

Policies that once legally barred married women from working have a lasting legacy. Modern workplace challenges for mothers, such as being pushed out or lacking support, are not individual failings but are rooted in this historical, systemic discrimination.