When I think of a topic to write I have many ideas such as UX, women in technology, and anecdotes, but I know women live in patriarchal systems and I want to share how I realized I was living in a patriarchal system. Why? We have normalized patterns of behavior through culture.

Before I begin, I will give the context of my family. They are from a town in Jalisco, Mexico. We live in a small town outside the city where I lived for 25 years. In my childhood, every Sunday, we went to my grandfather's house to make barbecue or traditional Mexican dishes. I started to always see the first to eat were the men. During this period of time I thought “This is ok, women want more time to eat and chat”. I never thought this behavior was bad.

In my 20’s I started to learn about women's communities. The first community I found was TechWo.
I always followed its social media, but I didn’t go to the events. One day I was sure I wanted to meet these women and I registered for the event.
The event daaay!! I was still not sure if I should go. I told my father about the event. He didn't understand. At the time I was ready, my father said the phrase that changed my reality and my beliefs:
“Don't go, it's better to stay home to clean up”. At this moment, my head went BOOOOOM! What? Cleaning is better than learning? I ignored the comment and I left.

Since that day, I knew I lived in a patriarchal system. Men (not all) see women as housekeepers or people who should only do activities at home, and they want to dictate how women should act. This led me to know in my life that I suffered and lived in a world of machismo, but the system says it is the right way to be.

Today, I know that I can't change my family and their beliefs, but I can stop allowing myself to be the last one to eat or who is in charge of the cleaning.

Photo from event

Conclusions:

Women are capable of doing anything, that is why I invite you to question your beliefs and behavior. This is the only way we can resist patriarchy. The next time your family or the system tells you that you shouldn't do something, ask why.

I embrace you all, together we can!