“Restructuring Patriarchy: The Modernization of Gender Inequality in Brazil, 1914-194” by Susan K. Besse is a comprehensive book exploring the changing traditional patterns in 20^th-century Brazilian society. Through the various chapters in the book, Besse analyzes the patriarchal changes prompting the emergence of a modern urban society where women are given more opportunities and rights. Ultimately, the focus of this essay is to analyze chapter one and chapter seven of the book through the lens of the chapters’ main ideas and key topics.

Chapter 1 “The Demise of Patriarchalism”

Chapter one of Besse’s book “The Demise of Patriarchalism” explores the 20^th-century Brazilian society characterized by the erosion of traditional patriarchalism. Among the key topics covered in Brazil’s hierarchical society during the 20^th century. According to Besse, these hierarchies included “strong ties of family and patronage, patriarchal families, nuclear families, children taught to be obedient to the extent of accepting arranged marriages.”[1]  Another key topic is gender through the lens of gender inequality and working women. Class is also a key topic covering Brazilian society, divided into the upper and middle classes, including the elite. Urbanization is also a key topic which, according to the chapter, was caused by the late 19^th century socioeconomic changes. As a result, it led to faster growth of Brazilian cities like Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, contributing to the demise of traditional patriarchy.

The main idea of chapter one is the erosion of Brazil’s traditional patriarchy fueled by factors like material bases. According to Besse, “after midcentury, and especially after 1870, socioeconomic transformation gradually eroded the materials bases of patriarchalism.”[2] It is these socioeconomic dynamics like urbanization and modernization that contributed to the demise of patriarchalism as it deconstructed traditional systems and gender roles, bringing an end to the patriarchal society. The 20^th-century modernization and technology like radios, telephones, and new fashion styles also gave more freedom to women. Accordingly, “as the modernization and beautification of mushrooming urban centers displayed accumulated wealth and technological progress, the images of independent working girls and sexy flappers symbolized changing social relations.”[3] Also, the chapter highlights the nature of Brazil’s traditional patriarchal system. Notably, the traditional patriarchy created a male-dominated society. For example, “families were based in patriarchy, women were subordinated, and children were taught to be obedient to the extent of accepting arranged marriages.”[4]  Fundamentally, men were the head of families, and women were expected to be submissive. The men also dictated their kids.

Additionally, chapter one’s main idea includes working women who challenged the traditional patriarchy. Fueled by the slowly changing traditional system, Brazilian women could work outside their households. The chapter affirms, “the rapidly expanding market economy had progressively undermined women’s productive roles in the household, middle-and upper-class women entered the public sphere in a variety of new roles.”[5] Basically, women’s roles outside their households challenged the traditionally held roles of women, raising more awareness of gender equality. Slowly, these women working in the public spheres eroded traditional patriarchalism, where women were mothers and caregivers.

Chapter 7 “The Politics of Feminism(s) and Antifeminism”

Chapter seven of Besse’s book “The Politics of Feminism and Antifeminism” also explores the changing social patterns in 20^th-century Brazil through the lens of feminism. The key topic in this chapter is feminism and its movements. In this topic, the chapter covers various strands of 20^th-century Brazilian feminists and their movements, like the socialist, liberal, and radical feminists. Another key topic is the repercussions faced by the emerging feminists and their movements prompting antifeminist movements. Notably, the rise of feminism challenged the traditional patriarchy; hence the idea was not welcomed. Consequently, some people directly attacked the movements and strongly opposed the idea. The chapter also covers 20^th-century reformations like the emergence of nationalism and political reforms that influenced feminism and the rising antifeminism movements.

The main idea in the chapter is the growth of feminism and antifeminist movements in Brazil at the time. As per the chapter, 20^th century, Brazil witnessed the emergence of feminists who rose to fight for women’s roles and rights in society. According to Besse, “between 1918 and 1937, Brazil’s feminist movements played a key role in shaping the ways in which their country’s gender order was redefined.”[6] Among the notable feminists in the chapter are Bertha Lutz, Maria Lacerda de Moura, and Patrician Galvao. On the other hand, notable feminist movements include “the League for the Intellectual Emancipation of women, FBPF, and Revista Feminina.”[7] However, with the rise of feminism, some individuals also emerged to oppose the feminist movement. The chapter notes, “throughout the post-WWI period, avid antifeminists-who were generally political; conservatives opposed feminists and all other challenges to traditional hierarchical social relationship.”[8] Mostly, men were against these movements as they challenged their dominant societal role.

Another main idea of the chapter is the emergence of state figures who influenced the feminist and antifeminist movements. For example, the 1937 coup halted feminist movements as the dictatorship turned Brazil into an authoritarian nation rendering the acquired political skills by feminists useless. The broad diversity of feminist ideologies and their influence on 20^th-century Brazilian society is also a key idea explored in the chapter. Even though the country witnessed the rise of feminism, these feminists fought for different ideologies. For example, “FBPF membership was divided between those fighting to secure social and political rights for women and those concerned primarily with elevating and celebrating women’s domestic roles.”[9] Notably, some feminists fought for women’s rights and political inclusion; others fought for working women, while others strengthened traditional women’s roles. In the end, these feminists managed to achieve women’s rights, suffrage, and gender equality.

To sum up, it is evident that chapter one and seven of Besse’s book provides an in-depth historical analysis of the traditional changing patterns in 20^th century Brazil through the lens of the demise of patriarchalism and feminism and the antifeminist movement. The key topics explored in the chapters include feminism and antifeminist movements, gender, urbanization, class, and modernization. Also, the main ideas covered in the chapters include the deconstruction of traditional patriarchy and the role of women outside their households. Also, the emerging feminists, their movements, and backlash from antifeminists is another key idea explored in chapter seven. Overall, the two chapters explore the changing Brazilian society in the 20^th century through varying lenses.