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In noticing all these changes: shifting from a traditional to shared economy; men acting more feminine (the sassy man apocalypse); the push for non-monogamy - I can’t help but wonder, if our current exploitative power dynamics are replaced with shiny new ones, who will be the women who win and what are their moves?
Some possible examples: Gender roles all around are dissolving - a win for lgbtq+ folks and freedom overall but I suspect straight men are starting to weaponize this by evading traditionally masculine responsibilities - hence the sassy man apocalypse. Now, imagine in 5 years it becomes taboo to tell men to provide or protect. How do we thrive and maintain power in that scenario?
Another example: Say we live in a world where polyamory replaces hookup culture as the de facto mechanism for exploiting women for sex, the 4b movement fizzles out, and this is the new mainstream - who are the women running game in those power dynamics, what are they doing now, and what is their strategy?
It's a great question, and I often wonder what the current trends will do to romantic relationships.
I think, though, that most men and women are going to do what the species has always done: mate and reproduce.
I think men will continue to uphold the patriarchy, and the system provides more respect to men who are partnered with women.
I dont think men will stop pursuing women who catch their eye. I dont think they'll stop being attracted to women who stroke their egos and laugh at their jokes.
If anything, regular women might become even more of a catch as the dating environment becomes more filled with nbs and male trans people.
I try to remind myself that real life and the internet are not the same. I dont think 4b is what most women will practice.
Men can't be sassy at work and still get ahead. I think most things will continue as they are with only modest chamges toward celibacy.
One area that is changing more radically is the legal landscape. Roe, contraception...I do think conservatives are going to try every trick they can think of to remove womens choices. I just dont think they will go all out and ban women from working or owning bank account because I dont think employers and companies want to lose half their workforce and customer base.