The prevailing culture in the United States places a strong emphasis on individualism, leading many to mistakenly believe they function independently, isolated from broader social dynamics. This mindset often emerges in conversations regarding social issues like racism and sexism.

Expressions such as:

• “I don’t engage in that behavior.”
• “Not every white person should be blamed for that.”
• “Critics often make unfair claims about straight white males.”

These sentiments reflect a common struggle among individuals to understand that while they are distinct entities, they also play a part in shaping the societal framework and, consequently, share in the responsibility for its shortcomings.

Humans are inherently social beings, relying on our relationships for both immediate and extended well-being. The current competitive culture in America has resulted in a loneliness epidemic, particularly among men, which contributes to significant health issues, including heart disease and suicide. The glorification of extreme individualism is proving detrimental to our collective health.

Moreover, many individuals have not fully separated their identities from the larger societal or subcultural influences at play. Cognitive science indicates that most of our thoughts are not consciously formed. The idea of a fully rational individual steering their own life is largely a byproduct of 19th-century ideologies that align well with the rugged individualism still prevalent today. Most of our motivations stem from subconscious influences—our upbringing, culture, religion, and media—that we may not even recognize as shaping our behaviors.

While there has been notable progress in equality over the last half-century, significant stratification remains in our society, influenced by immutable factors such as race, gender, and sexuality. It is insufficient to merely refrain from personally oppressing others; if you belong to a group that benefits from maintaining these inequalities, you are contributing to the issue. Acknowledging this reality and fostering awareness is crucial.

Recently, I encountered the notion that simply being non-racist (or non-misogynistic/homophobic) allows one to disengage from the broader responsibility regarding social inequities. This idea is rooted in the “presumption of innocence”—suggesting that if someone does not act harmfully, they should be viewed as having good intentions. This perspective, however, has many flaws.

In a societal context, neutrality is not an option like it might be in a personal dispute. Most forms of racism, sexism, or homophobia manifest as implicit biases and systemic inequalities. Therefore, if one continues to benefit from such structures without actively challenging them, they are not neutral.

Those who most frequently assert their disinterest in societal issues and claim a presumption of innocence often benefit from established inequalities. Furthermore, the term “presumption of innocence” is a legal concept that only pertains to who bears the burden of proof in a trial. If the state presumed someone was innocent, they would not be put on trial in the first place.

The Supreme Court clarified the limits of the presumption of innocence in Taylor v. Kentucky, stating, “It is not regarded as evidence of the defendant’s innocence, nor does it necessitate a favorable inference for the defendant from any presented facts.”

Ironically, our patriarchal structure promotes individualism while simultaneously enforcing conformity. Patriarchy transcends a mere historical power imbalance between genders; it encompasses a comprehensive system of social classes and stratification that emerged alongside gender distinctions approximately 6,000 to 9,000 years ago.

This marked the inception of class distinctions and hierarchical structures maintained through coercion and violence—a central tenet of patriarchy that promotes ruthlessness and a “might makes right” ideology. In contrast, earlier societies prioritized the well-being of the entire community. Presently, a mentality of “Us vs. Them” prevails, fostering a win-lose dynamic that underpins various societal challenges.

With the rise of patriarchy, not only were women subjected to male control in unprecedented ways, but the powerful also dominated those who were weaker, giving rise to a feudal system. A small elite class ostensibly protects yet controls a multitude of stratified groups, with the most powerless and impoverished forming the broadest base of the societal pyramid. Until the mid-20th century, laws and customs ensured that white men occupied the apex of this hierarchy, with white women following, down to the most marginalized, such as poor Black women.

While the hierarchy has become less rigid, many remnants of a culture designed for and by white men persist. They continue to hold the majority of wealth, power, and societal respect, while media representations still position them as the normative citizens, despite constituting only about 30% of the population.

Even after the abolition of laws that enforced such stratification, the underlying values and beliefs that birthed these laws did not simply vanish. They remain entrenched in societal beliefs and are perpetuated both overtly and subconsciously. Many individuals, even those who consciously advocate for equality, may still unknowingly adhere to these deeply ingrained biases, which is why unconscious bias is so perilous—often going unnoticed in our actions.

The power dynamics inherent in social stratification did not dissolve with landmark events such as the Civil Rights Act, the women’s movement, or the Stonewall riots. These hierarchies are often accepted as the norm simply because they represent the status quo, making them comfortable for many.

To sustain a stratified social system, it is necessary to designate certain groups as lower on the hierarchy and maintain that status through coercion and violence, benefitting those strong enough to exert control. This encapsulates patriarchy. Such dynamics continue to exist in our society, irrespective of individual actions.

To effect change, we must alter these power dynamics and the foundational structures that support them while also addressing individual behaviors. The belief that individuals can exist entirely apart from societal trends is an illusion, rooted in American myths of self-determination and bootstrapping. While determination and resilience are indeed factors of success, the disproportionate political power held by white men compared to Black women is not merely a reflection of personal attributes.

Many businesses are beginning to adopt less hierarchical structures, as they are more adaptable when those closest to the work are empowered to make decisions without navigating layers of bureaucracy. Teams often form with minimal stratification, and the traditional authoritarian boss model is waning. However, we still need to actively confront the coercive and aggressive aspects of dominance hierarchies, which remain integral to our culture, if we aspire to build a more equitable society without artificial barriers to success.

I have previously highlighted issues of sexual harassment and assault within the military to illustrate the ineffectiveness of individual actions in addressing systemic harm when the culture itself is flawed. The U.S. military has made concerted efforts to combat sexual misconduct, which remains prevalent among its ranks, as noted by the Pentagon.

Despite increased training and penalties, rates of rape, sexual assault, and harassment have risen, potentially due to improved reporting mechanisms. However, these rates have not declined as a result of these initiatives because the underlying culture of violent domination remains unaddressed.

Until the military reexamines its dominance-based hierarchy, where power dynamics allow the strong to abuse the weak without repercussions, they will continue to grapple with this issue. Being a man who neither commits nor condones these crimes has no impact on the number of victims, as men are also victims of sexual violence within the military.

When considering a system rooted in historical male domination over women, weaker men, and children, the broader cultural landscape reflects a society preoccupied with relative status. Competition for hierarchy is relentless and often brutal, resulting in a culture where individuals rationalize the use of bullying and violence to maintain perceived social order—a behavior that has long been normalized.

For many, maintaining the hierarchy appears to be the natural order of things, not necessarily out of malice, but because it aligns with their understanding of societal structure. Historically, the prevailing belief among those at the top was that their hierarchical arrangements were justified.

As recently as the 1960s, a significant majority of white individuals believed in the inferiority of Black people. Into the 1970s, most men felt entitled to control women, believing in their own intellectual superiority. Although acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals has improved, discrimination persists, and issues surrounding transgender individuals can still provoke discomfort among some progressives, challenging established binaries.

Our society harbors considerable inequality, partly because the systems we uphold are fundamentally reliant on it. The abolition of discriminatory laws did not eradicate the beliefs that supported them; these beliefs endure, deeply embedded within our institutions and societal attitudes, both consciously and subconsciously.

Attempting to separate oneself from cultural trends is self-deception. A sociology lesson is essential, as societal function does not operate in isolation. Each individual participates in and shapes the culture, and even well-meaning actions are insufficient to combat the oppressive structures inherent in society. A poignant quote encapsulates this idea:

> "It is not that we have created the patriarchy around us. Or the working conditions, or even the dominant culture. What we have done is colluded with it. We cannot mature inside a culture without having internalized aspects of it. Our ability to change our political environment begins with the understanding of how we have helped create it. Our consciousness is where the revolution begins. Fifty percent of the work we need to do is on ourselves. The other 50 percent is to focus outward and use ideas like stewardship to redesign the practices, policies, and structures that institutionalize what we wish to become." > > — Block, Peter. Stewardship: Choosing Service Over Self-Interest (p. 50). Berrett-Koehler Publishers. Kindle Edition.

You are not an isolated entity. Depending on your efforts to scrutinize and confront your cultural conditioning, you may or may not be a true individual. Regardless, you are part of a society and share in the accountability for its actions. References to the conduct of white individuals or white men are not meant to label everyone in that group but to highlight the power structures maintained by that demographic to preserve their dominance within the patriarchal hierarchy.

Refusing to acknowledge this reality likely stems more from an ingrained belief in the naturalness of such hierarchies than from the American valorization of individualism. It serves to uphold cultural dominance as it continues to diminish. As previously noted, even those who consciously advocate for fairness and equality may still harbor subconscious beliefs regarding their own status within a hierarchy or the necessity of maintaining such orders.

Social stratification is pervasive in our culture. Even among friends, comparisons of relative status likely occur. Ignoring these factors in the context of America's challenges, or portraying those who address them as the real issue, merely deflects attention from the underlying dominance hierarchy. This is not the only way to structure society; it is a justification of patriarchy.

© Copyright Elle Beau 2021 Elle Beau writes on Medium about sex, life, relationships, society, anthropology, spirituality, and love. If this article appears anywhere other than Medium.com, it has been published without my consent.