Ann Schaef’s text presents an interesting view of how people react or relate to one another. She attributes this curious scenario to the link she calls the white male system.- a phenomenon that, according to her, controls all that we are- physically, economically, socially, physically, and even psychologically. She says that the modern world psychologist uses intrapsychic and interpersonal approaches to minister to their clients.
They consider both what goes inside a person –dreams, fantasies, defense mechanisms, and outsides affect of the significant others in the client’s life, to determine what shapes their lives. However, many practitioners, according to Ann, feel that these approaches are sorely lacking in-depth, although they work at different times to help people become living, loving individuals. She says that what is lacking is an understanding and awareness of the White Male System. It is a crucial issue since it surrounds and permeates our lives. She says that “its myths, beliefs, rituals, procedures, and outcomes affect everything we think, feel, and do” (Schaef 7).
Ann believes that the White Male System is one in which we live and whose power and influence are held by white males. This system is a result of the machinations of these few individuals supported by our support and participation in its development. However, the White Male System is not a reality we live in; it is just a system, though some people mistakenly regard it to be the essence of our real life. The role of this system is really great: it governs our life through adopting laws, making important political and economic decisions, overall, deciding on the most important things like war and peace. Inherent in it, too, like the other systems, are negative and positive sides.
She notes that there are other systems within our culture, including the Black, Chicano Asian American and the Native American and the Female System, which includes women from the other ethnic systems as well as white women. These other systems, are completely wrapped in and overshadowed by this White Male System. This being the case, then human beings- blacks and whites virtually exist within this system, and there is no gainsaying that for them; therefore, is no escape.
Through this book, Ann has tried to support the changing circumstances and roles of women and, without deriding men, allows both sexes to see each other as colleagues and not bitter enemies. She has shed some light on what she sees emerging, i.e., the “new woman” emerging from the female system. She defines this female system as one where women are valued as equal first-class citizens.
However, a few loopholes in her thesis cannot fail to go unchallenged. The arguments in the first few chapters contain abstract and philosophical ideas that are difficult to get into. The author writes about different perspectives that disconnect from Reality and perhaps the white male worldview. It is in the interior chapters that her ideas help save face after the awkward introduction, for example, the discussion on “the perfect marriage.
The book excels in trying to illustrate the results and benefits of shifting one’s perspective and taking responsibility. In her White Male System, apportioning responsibility is done for the basic reason of simply meant blaming, whereas seemingly in her emerging Female System, responsibility is determined by the willingness or the ability to respond. Wilson Schaef appears to be strongly engrossed with identity politics. She also claims that comparing the White Male and the Female System is no better or worse. Surprisingly not at any point in the book does she write anything positive about it the white male system.
This is overly preposterous and annoying. Many of her ideas are drawn from classical philosophy. Her views towards both men and women are sexist and rooted; it seems in late 70’s – early 80’s feminist psychology. They are outdated and an overreaction.
She says that there are a few people, especially white men, who do not fit into the White Male System. They form a coterie that is frequently perceived as an asylum for men who do not want to acknowledge their sexism. Though they say that they are not sexist and do not want to be or admit that they are, they are forced to do something about it. She asserts that before one is able to deal with their sexism, they must learn to distance themselves from the White Male System. to step back, look at it, and see it for what it really is. This is a mix-up of issues and I find it hard to decide what to believe- Sexism or white male system.
I do believe there is or could be a White Male System, but I think that her analysis of certain actions of men in their attempt to suppress women are overdone. From this, it seems that all actions, beliefs of/ by men are meant to control women. This is untrue and utterly impossible. It may be said that to her, all men are bad and all women are angry about something. There are a great number of people who do not believe this system.
Besides, it is not true that all women are angry about their nature-womanhood. She doesn’t fully recognize or give enough credit to the unique differences between men and women. She tries to provide an understanding of women and their need to enhance their self awareness. She sought to present the tribulations of women and what it means to live in a male dominated society. The women are great victims in that they are raped, battered without care, yet they still try to be better off in adjusting to this male system. Though initially intended as a liberation piece for the womenfolk, this book simply emphasizes the plight of women.
These differences should be celebrated and not picked apart and translated as whys men are oppressing women. This pits men to women mentality rather than create the harmony that should prevail due to the differences. This difference as well as the similarities makes the men and women bonding and relationship strong. Because of their life, and experiences women have substantially different lives to that of men. This is also be true of racial minorities.
In this constrained environment, most of us are only partially successful in reaching our goal of becoming whole, valued individuals. It is like business suits and heart attacks are synonymous. These are often considered the pillars of success within the white cycles. The blacks or the members of the other systems like Asian, Chicanos, and Native Americans who excel in the white male system inherit this unfortunate case of events- money and diseases.
The resultant widespread effects and dysfunction is harmful to allall-men as well as women. Differences are seen as threats that must be annihilated. She presents the other systems as being in rebellion and conflict with the white male system. This cannot be true, or any good cannot come out of such a system besides, if we were all controlled by it, we would all be sick. To survive and prosper, our society must embrace and learn from other cultures, including minorities.
Also, Ann says that ladies, especially whites get their existence and approval from this group. She also avers that there is coming into being a generation of ladies who will be respected and of a higher status. This means that the women have yet to develop their status and independence from the white males. The Reality is that women have earned their space and respect of the men and do not look up to men to get their approval, least of all white men in the white male system. The women she presents in her text do the exact opposite. They try to fit in this unsavory and oppressive system.
In advancing her feminism and feministic theories, she tends to mix facts and contradictions, thereby making it hard to really understand her. If the system is as good and deeply embedded in our lives like she says, then the contradiction she gives is not worth it. She previously says that our lives revolve around this system. This statement that she makes exhaustively underpins her motive. She has talked about sexism, feminism, and the white male system.
To survive and prosper, our society must embrace and learn from other cultures, including minorities. Diversity is a strength, not a weakness. It is imperative to have a deeper understanding of the struggles and the reasons behind various life choices people make. She should see life as a progression of stages moving toward increased knowledge and impressive progress and maturity rather than as a narrow, stagnant rut.
Work cited
Schaef, Ann Wilson. Women’s Reality: an emerging female system. San Francisco: Harper Collins Publishers, 1992.