The Rise of Female Power by Tara Wolf, contributing writer
Wellness ~
Leveling Up or Staying Behind?
The Rise of Female Power by Tara Wolf, contributing writer
I know this is a touchy subject and might be a trigger, but I will be spitting facts. Everyone is entitled to their own feelings and perceptions. P. S. If this triggers you, look deeper within yourself.
Let’ s take a step way back before the 1970s.
Before 1974, women in America were unable to open their own bank accounts, sign leases for apartments, or finance a car or home in their own name. Banks required a husband’ s or father’ s signature. Landlords often refused to rent to single or divorced women. Women literally had to rely on men to live because men built the system that way.
The Fair Housing Act of 1968 made sex-based discrimination in housing illegal, but it wasn’ t until the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974 that women could legally access credit and financial independence without a male cosigner. Only 50 years ago, women finally gained the right to build a life of their own.
So, when people today claim that women are“ too independent” or that the modern dating world is broken because women don’ t need men anymore, the irony is hard to ignore. Women were never supposed to have independence in the first place. The entire system was designed to make us dependent on staying at home, raising children, and taking care of the men who controlled every financial and legal decision.
The System Men Built
For centuries, men built the social and economic systems that placed them in charge
34 December 2025 and defined masculinity around power, status, and dominance. When women finally started earning their own money, opening businesses, buying homes, and living freely, it threatened that old design. When men say women“ don’ t need them anymore,” what they’ re really saying is the system that once guaranteed me power and a wife no longer works.
And yet, if we look deeper, it’ s clear that many men’ s behavior reflects more of a desire to impress other men, than to connect with women. Sociologists have long pointed out that homosocial behavior— where men bond and seek approval from other men is often at the core of traditional masculinity. It’ s not about sexual attraction, it’ s about validation. Do men only care about what other men think?
Men are raised to value other men’ s opinions, compete with them, and gain their respect. The house, the car, the career, the wife, the kids— all become symbols of social status in comparison to other men. So, when men lose that validation, they lose their identity. Maybe that’ s why so many are angry and confused today! Not because women have changed, but because the old markers of manhood no longer define success.
The Emotional Disconnect
The statistics don’ t lie according to the 2023- 2024 U. S. crime data.
● 73-75 % of all arrests are men.
● 90 % of homicide arrest are men.
● 97-99 % of those arrested for sexual assault or rape are men.
● 80-85 % of domestic violence offenders are men.
These numbers suggest something deeper than crime. They reveal emotional suppression, unchecked anger, and a lack of accountability.
Instead of reflecting on their actions, many men externalize their frustration. They blame feminism, independence, and even social media for their unhappiness— anything but themselves. However, maybe the real root lies in how boys are raised to avoid vulnerability and emotional expression. When men are taught that power equals worth, they often don’ t know who they are without it.
I am raising a teenage boy. I am doing it as a single mother. My biggest lessons for him have been about how to deal with emotions. Breathe and take responsibility and accountability. I’ ve shown him how women can step up and achieve success, happiness, and a fulfilling family life. I’ ve tried to be a good example to him and show that we have everything we need within ourselves. Stop looking for superficial, external things to make you happy and satisfied. I am not hating on men at all. I love men! But women aren’ t settling for the bare minimum any longer.
The Rise of Female Power
Meanwhile, women have evolved! We’ ve learned to provide for ourselves, build wealth, and create peace without waiting for a partner to give it to us. We’ re not in need of men anymore— we’ re in want!
We want men to bring peace, emotional intelligence, and partnership, not control. We want time, energy, and genuine connection, not dominance or dependency. And that’ s where the real shift is happening! Women are
Continued on page 36 �