Patriarchal Norms in Business: Why Men Shouldn’t Be Solving Women’s Problems

Introduction

From medicine to product development, businesses have long been dominated by male decision-makers. In the realm of women’s health, this has led to a problematic trend: men alone solving problems they don’t fully understand. Whether it’s menstrual pain, fertility, or menopause, women’s unique health concerns are often approached with a one-size-fits-all mentality, resulting in inadequate solutions that fail to address the real needs of women.

Patriarchal structures in business not only overlook the complexity of women’s health but also perpetuate a system where women’s voices are underrepresented in the decision-making process. It’s time to critique this dynamic and advocate for women to lead the charge in developing solutions for their own health issues.

The Problem with Patriarchal Decision-Making in Women’s Health

At the core of the issue is a lack of lived experience. Men, who have never experienced menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, often hold the power to make key decisions about women’s healthcare products and services. This disconnect between those creating solutions and those using them is where the problem lies.

• Lack of Understanding: Men may approach women’s health problems from a clinical or commercial perspective, but they lack the firsthand understanding of what it means to live with these issues. This results in products that miss the mark—either because they don’t address the real pain points or because they treat symptoms superficially without getting to the root of the problem.
  
  
• Token Solutions: Many businesses offer “solutions” for women’s health that are little more than repackaged versions of existing products. For example, menstrual pain might be addressed with over-the-counter painkillers instead of innovative, targeted solutions. These token efforts reflect a deeper issue: the inability to understand the complexities of women’s health and the tendency to minimize their experiences.
  
  
• Profit Over Purpose: In a patriarchal business environment, women’s health is often seen as a market opportunity rather than a critical area of healthcare. The goal becomes maximizing profits rather than developing meaningful, long-term solutions that improve women’s quality of life. This commodification of women’s pain leads to products that are poorly designed, overpriced, or inaccessible to many women.

How Patriarchal Norms Perpetuate Inadequate Solutions

Patriarchal structures in business don’t just affect the products and services available to women—they also impact how society views women’s health issues. When male-dominated industries dictate the narrative, women’s health concerns are often trivialized or dismissed.

• Minimizing Women’s Pain: Historically, women’s pain has been downplayed or outright ignored. The phrase “it’s all in your head” is a reflection of how society has long treated women’s health concerns as secondary or psychological, rather than physical and urgent. This attitude has seeped into business, where products aimed at women are often created with minimal investment in research or innovation.
  
  
• The “One-Size-Fits-All” Approach: Menstruation, menopause, and fertility are incredibly personal experiences, varying widely from woman to woman. Yet many businesses offer generic solutions that assume all women experience these phases of life in the same way. The lack of personalization in women’s health products reflects the broader issue of treating women’s bodies as monolithic.
  
  
• Failure to Involve Women in Decision-Making: The biggest problem with patriarchal business structures is the lack of female leadership. Decisions about women’s health are too often made without consulting women—whether it’s in product development, marketing, or healthcare policy. This top-down approach silences the voices of those most impacted and results in inadequate solutions.

Why Women Should Lead the Charge in Solving Women’s Problems

Women know their bodies better than anyone else. When women are involved in the decision-making process, the results are radically different: products are designed with empathy, innovation, and a deep understanding of the user’s needs. Here’s why women must lead the charge:

• Lived Experience Drives Better Solutions: Women who have experienced menstrual pain, pregnancy, or hormonal changes are better equipped to create products that address these challenges. Their firsthand knowledge allows them to design solutions that are more effective, comfortable, and empowering for other women.
  
  
• Empathy and Innovation: Women bring a different perspective to problem-solving—one that is rooted in empathy. Rather than treating women’s health issues as inconveniences to be minimized, female-led businesses prioritize comfort, wellness, and long-term care. This shift in focus leads to innovative solutions that go beyond treating symptoms to improving overall well-being.
  
  
• Breaking the Taboo: Women-led businesses are more likely to challenge the stigma surrounding women’s health. Instead of treating menstruation or menopause as taboo topics, female entrepreneurs and healthcare leaders are working to normalize these conversations, leading to more open dialogue and better products.

REB’s Commitment to Women-Led Solutions

At REB, we believe that women should be at the forefront of solving women’s health issues. Our products are designed by women, for women—ensuring that every detail is crafted with real-life experiences in mind. From our multi-area heating pad to our focus on period pain relief, we prioritize the comfort, health, and well-being of women over profit.

Our mission is to empower women to take control of their health with solutions that are as unique as they are. By creating products that address real pain points and listening to the voices of women, we aim to set a new standard for how women’s health is treated in business.

Conclusion

Patriarchal norms in business have long dictated how women’s health problems are addressed, leading to inadequate solutions that fail to meet women’s needs. It’s time for a change. Women must lead the charge in developing solutions for their own health issues, bringing empathy, innovation, and lived experience to the table.

At REB, we stand for women-led solutions that prioritize comfort and well-being. We believe that women deserve more than token efforts—they deserve products and services that reflect the complexity of their health needs. Let’s work together to dismantle patriarchal structures and build a future where women’s health is treated with the care and attention it deserves.

Support women-led businesses and initiatives that are dedicated to solving real women’s health problems. Together, we can create a world where women’s voices are heard and their health needs are prioritized.

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