I understand where you're coming from. Nevertheless, all of those female attributes are grounds for envy, especially the ability to create/birth human life. So, if there's "penis envy" there's also "womb envy," "breast envy," etc. It can be applied both ways and that's one reason why it's so eye-rolling to single out "penis envy."
Also, male domination isn't as all-encompassing as you seem to suggest. There are realms of female domination everywhere -- relationships, marriages, families, clans, classrooms, colleges, businesses, organizations, nations -- just open your eyes. The wife of one of my brothers, for example, totally rules the roost.
As far as patriarchal societies go, historical Israel was generally patriarchal and yet Deborah led the nation spiritually, politically, legally and militarily for 40 years (Judges 4-5). The most qualified male, Barak, wouldn’t even go into battle without her presence. Even in the Judeo-Christian Godhead the Holy Spirit provides spiritual birth (Titus 3:5). Is that a male quality or female?
Moreover, in many situations males might seem to be running the show when, in actuality, it's females behind the scenes calling the shots. Is that "male domination" or "female domination"?
Couldn't any of these many examples of "female domination" be grounds for envy on a male's part? Obviously.
At the end of the day life is a joint enterprise. For instance, neither of us would even exist without both a male and a female, not to mention healthy upbringing/character/education depends on both positive male and female input.
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OnanTheBarbarian (13126)
3 years ago
Well the Freudian theory is about young females in very early childhood.
This is the mistake modern analysts make. No one is saying an adult female is envious of make junk or wants to be a man. Lol.
And you're right. In most homes the woman rules the roost. She's the domestic goddess so to speak. She runs the household. So "penis envy" is not a slam against female equality.
It speaks to subliminal development on a very fundamental level. Hormones and biology make the male child more aggressive and dominant. When the child looks at adults they see men in controlling positions.
So that thaaang dangling between our legs takes on a symbolic significance in the child's mind. This is what Freud meant by penis envy. It's not some transgender wish by females to be males.
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