Jennifer Horgan: Patriarchy makes fools of us all, men and women alike

Macho men chest-beating towards war deny our interdependence and our care for each other. This International Women's Day, let's focus on matriarchal values

Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson in Love Actually.

Remember that scene in Love, Actually when Emma Thompson’s character confronts her husband about his affair? He (played by the glorious Alan Rickman) says, self-involved to the last: “I’m so in the wrong — a classic fool.” 

Thompson replies: “Yes, but you’ve also made a fool out of me. You’ve made the life I lead foolish.” I’ve always loved that line. Who we are — husband, wife, friend — is dependent on someone else.