How does one keep believing

[angel with wings]

the male figure you refer to, is because God created Adam first, as a care taker and the husband and provider for Eve. men are to do this, to be the worker, the provider, the care takers, the protectors. the women are supposed to be the helpers of their husbands, the care takers of the home and the children. that is why you see the system you do in the Bible.
its why its a "mans world", they are the ones to do the hard labor, to provide a living for his family. its the way its been since the beginning of time. now today, we seem to be offended that men were designed to care for us.

i do understand that men also hurt us. (me too). but we still love our husband and so happy he is willing to care for us and be that provider and protector that he was designed to be.