I think people are a mix of good and bad. We aren't all good, we aren't all bad. Just in the formative years of learning, early childhood, our impressions of how we understand "love", "empathy", "caring", "kindness" are formed.
An example of this is say a kid who grows up on a farm, and who sees dad slaughter animals for both food, and for when they cease to be productive/useful or are injured. A father may say to the child, "I'm doing this to keep it from suffering more." So the child learns that a quick death is better than a long one. That child may not be upset over the death of a chicken, but the same child may be devastated over the death of their pet dog. If a child is exposed to war, there have been studies that show they exhibit PTSD, but also signs of sociopathy as well.
Likewise, if a child learns that they are "oppressed" from family members criticizing a system that has historically kept their forefathers down due to racism and prejudice,(yes that happened even in the northern states) then they are less likely to want to try and move beyond that mindset to see opportunity because they already believe that opportunity for them, at least, doesn't exist. The only other option is to exploit the system, make fast money, and hope to live past 30. (ok that was bleak)
However, I also believe that if someone can show kids another way, not through empty programs but just taking the time to mentor and support even offer an encouraging word, an affirmation, I'm not sure, but it might actually make a difference. If politicians can see through the red tape, jargon, and see the people. To listen to the people, and make active policy to help motivate and improve the opportunities of a new generation... I think we might be surprised.
Regarding Oppression, maybe it is a shock, and the argument could be made that in the west, women as a whole are not "oppressed" to the same extent as those in other countries where the system of government is not just patriarchal but also theocracy.
An example of this is Iran when they removed the monarchy they replaced it with a sort of dictatorship which forbid many western ideas, practices, culture and in a matter of one day transformed the lives of many women and girls by removing the education, freedom of expression, and human rights.
Another form is what you see in certain parts of Africa, such as Nigeria where girls are captured by gangs posing as religious zealots, sold to work as prostitutes and labor for the high ranking "officers". Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chibok_schoolgirls_kidnapping
Again, this is also seen in other areas of the world where girls are sold by their parents some believing to people who will get them jobs in a city, and help the family out of poverty only to have them on the streets for certain tourists who know where to find them. They are trafficked across borders and have no rights, freedoms, and live in fear as their captors threaten to harm their loved ones and family if they even try to escape. Most of the victims are ... girls. Source:
https://kontinentalist.com/stories/how-does-sex-trafficking-happen-to-women-and-girls-in-southeast-asia
So yeah, oppression exists. Patriarchy exists too. Abuse exists. Racism and Institutional Racism exists. Even in our own backyards.
Want to stop it?
1. Educate yourself.
2. Be a good example
3. Support causes that help rescue people who are trapped, there are many to choose from so you can do your own
4. Raise your family to continue to love and support each other, and call out behavior/ideas that do not reflect that mentality
5. Forgive and give people a chance to do right, and when they get it right
6. PRAISE the positive.
Continue to love and respect your wife, it's a good thing.
....Like women right here aren't raped and killed themselves while we prop ourselves up as civilized nations. 
