Feminists have seen how male dominance in patriarchy has been oppressive and abusive of the feminine--of both the so-called feminine characteristics and virtues and actual women themselves. In the radical critique of patriarchy, some feminists conclude that masculinnity in its roots is essentially abusive, and that connection with "eros"--with love, relatedness, and gentleness--comes only from the feminine side of the human equation...

In our view, patriarchy is not the expression of deep and rooted masculinity, for truly deep and rooted masculinity is not abusive. Patriarchy is the expression of the immature masculine. It is the expression of Boy psychology, and, in part, the shadow--or crazy--side of masculinity...

it is an attack on masculinity in its fullness, as well as femininity in its fullness... Patriarchy is based on fear--the boy's fear, the immature masculine's fear--of women, to be sure, but also fear of men. Boys fear women. They also fear real men.

The patriarchal male does not welcome the full masculine development of his sons or his male subordinates any more than he welcomes the full development of his daughters, or his female employees...

The more beautiful, competent, and creative we become, the more we seem to invite the hostility of our superiors, or even our peers.

King, Warrior, Magician, Lover - Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine, p.xvii

Rovert Moore & Douglas Gillette