Jordan Peterson debunks claims ‘masculine ambition and ability’ is part of oppressive patriarchy

Clinical psychologist and best-selling author Dr Jordan Peterson has debunked claims "masculine ambition and ability" is part of oppressive patriarchy.

Talking to Sky News Australia host Rita Panahi in a wide-ranging interview, Dr Peterson discussed issues surrounding the masculine spirit and the notion, and perception, surrounding men being in positions of power in the Western world.

Dr Peterson said when boys go to school "they're told that human beings are cancer on the planet and that we're destroying everything and that masculine ambition and ability is the main contributor to that".

"And then if that doesn't work then they're informed through junior high and high school and university that they're all part of the oppressive male patriarchy and that it would be better if they just stayed home in their basement and stayed away from women and the world."

He said that was a "demoralising message".

Dr Peterson said in a functional society most of the men who are in "so-called positions of power" are highly competent and "generally as good a people as you could hope to find".

"Now there are exceptions to that rule and power corrupts everything to some degree," Dr Peterson said.

"The idea that the people at the top are oppressive patriarchs and that they've garnered all their status, let's say, authority and so-called power as a consequence of theft and pillage is a completely reprehensible idea – it's not been true historically."

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