Women are expected to absorb disrespect quietly, so systems can keep running smoothly. When men harm, women are often told to forgive, fix,
Women are expected to absorb disrespect quietly, so systems can keep running smoothly.
- When men harm, women are often told to forgive, fix, or forget—for the sake of peace.
- Society calls it strength when women carry pain that should never have been theirs.
- Girls are taught early to bend, soften, and sacrifice so others won’t break.
- In patriarchy, women become the cushion for harm that should’ve been stopped at the source.
In many families, schools, churches, and workplaces, women are treated like cushions for harm. Not because we choose to be—but because patriarchy depends on it.
From girlhood, we are trained to be the ones who “understand,” the ones who “make peace,” and the ones who carry the emotional weight others won’t touch. It’s not fair. And it’s not strength. It’s survival.
Here’s how patriarchy uses women as shock absorbers:
We absorb the emotional labor—managing feelings, smoothing conflict, staying silent—while others lash out, check out, or walk away.
We’re expected to forgive before justice even knocks at the door. Whether it’s abuse, betrayal, or workplace discrimination, women are often pushed to move on “for the greater good.”
When systems fail, women fill the gaps. From unpaid caregiving to advocating for children, elders, or victims of violence, we’re expected to do the work no one wants to acknowledge.
We’re blamed for breaking down under pressure instead of questioning the weight we were forced to carry.
And when we say “enough,” we’re told we’re bitter, difficult, or unforgiving—because patriarchy counts on us staying quiet.
But here’s the truth:
Women are not built to be shock absorbers.
We are whole human beings.
We deserve to live without being the cleanup crew for injustice.
🧠 Reflection Prompt:
What’s one area of your life where you’ve been expected to absorb harm instead of being protected from it? What would reclaiming your peace look like?
🕊️ Survivor Affirmation:
“I am not the buffer for anyone’s bad behavior. I deserve protection, peace, and power.”
@gordzcallingitout #misogony #patriarchy #stopviolenceagainstwomen #domesticabuseawareness
(Credit: thehereticwoman was the woman who left the comment …[the heretic woman]) *if i have that wrong please let me know.
The world doesn’t need more women who suffer in silence; it needs more people who refuse to make women suffer at all.
