Bro, I have sat in a room in the wealthiest city in the US and interviewed dozens of men who repeatedly violate their partners—verbally, physically, emotionally, and sexually—and justify it all in terms of what men deserve, and what women deserve.

And I see too much of them in every man I've met crossing this country back and forth over the years. Oh sure, it's bad in Dar Al-Islam, but I have standards that aren't met in the States.

I'm sure you'd agree if you had the data I've collected. Men violate women in the US.

Being an asshat is not gender-specific. I disowned my mom for the same things. And the horrible mental gymnastics to justify her behavior are part of the abuse.

Also, as she was my mom and raised me, i subconsciously interpolated from her onto society and ended up thinking there are general issues with society. And i recognize that aspect of myself in your writing.

I'm not talking about "asshats," I am talking about violent abusers—95% of whom are men! It's nowhere near close!

I'm sorry about your Adverse Childhood Experience, but you're way out of touch with the statistical reality here: the "Western world" is overwhelmingly patriarchal.