I don't know about you, but I've found myself with my jaw on the floor seeing how many white women supported DJT in the 2024 election. A rapist, convicted felon, and leader in degrading language towards women, there has to be some reason women still want to drop their panties for him, right? He is an icon of the worst parts of toxic masculinity and upholding the patriarchal standards we've lived with most of our lives. So what happened with white women? Maybe we need to explore how the current setup benefits white women, specifically cis-hetero-white women. No comment on the disparity between those who have ventured outside of their own demographic norm or hold relationships with people who look different from them.

How Patriarchy in American Culture Has Benefited White, Cisgender Women — But It’s Complicated

We often talk about how patriarchy limits and harms women and others. But there's a less-discussed side: how it has historically given white, cisgender women certain advantages. Patriarchy, with its strong beliefs about traditional gender roles, has benefited some women while sidelining others — shaping status, financial stability, and support for these women in society. Here’s a closer look:

1. Social Status of Traditional Family Roles

In a patriarchal society, traditional roles like wife and mother are often seen as ideal. For white, cisgender women, taking on these roles has historically been rewarded, especially in middle- and upper-class settings. Society has long respected white women in family-centered roles, giving them a special status. While this “praise” for fulfilling traditional roles can feel limiting, it has also created a unique respect for white, cisgender women in family and community life.

2. Economic Stability Through Household Income

In a patriarchal setup, economic power often centers on men. Historically, white men have had the most access to high-paying jobs and better opportunities. This means that white, cisgender women who marry white men gain financial stability, health care, and other resources through household income. This model has provided these women with economic advantages, though it also ties them financially to their relationships. This dynamic offers white women certain privileges and access to education and stability that many women of other backgrounds have struggled to obtain.

3. Institutional and Social Support for White Feminism

Early feminist movements often centered on the experiences and needs of white, cisgender women, sometimes overlooking the struggles of other groups. This focus helped white women gain workplace rights, educational access, and social support faster than other women. It’s a phenomenon known as “white feminism,” which has historically advocated for gender equality but mainly from the perspective of white women. This has allowed institutions to cater more to white women’s issues, while the voices of women of color and LGBTQ+ individuals have sometimes been pushed aside.

4. Legal Protections and “Innocence” Under Patriarchy

In the past, laws often treated white, cisgender women as needing “protection,” which led to some early legal rights benefiting them first. For instance, the right to vote and early workplace protections became accessible to white women before women of color. While these protections were limited and often came with restrictive expectations, they still gave white women certain early rights and protections in society.

Balancing Privilege and Restriction as White Women

The patriarchal system has created a double-edged sword for white, cisgender women. It offers advantages in areas like social respect, financial security, and access to institutional support. Yet, it also imposes limits and expectations that can be restricting. Understanding this complex balance can help us recognize both the privileges and limitations within patriarchal systems — and why achieving true progress means addressing these issues for everyone, especially those most marginalized.

Moving Toward Equity for All

The way patriarchy benefits some groups reveals the deep inequalities it maintains. To make society fair for everyone, we must recognize these intersections and work toward a more inclusive world. Real progress means ensuring that support and opportunities extend beyond any one group and include everyone.