One of the more common tropes among progmos (progressive mormons) especially those who want to ordain women to the priesthood is

priesthood ≠ motherhood

And I actually agree with them.

Fatherhood and motherhood are equal.

Men don't need the priesthood plus fatherhood to be on the same spiritual footing as women.

Nor are women deprived of any real power by not having the authority of the priesthood.

So why do men have the authority when women don't?

Because priesthood = power

And women naturally have much more power - especially the power of influence than men do.

This goes back to our first parents.

Who was it that convinced Adam to partake of the fruit?
It wasn't the serpent, it was Eve.

Who was it that started the Trojan War? It wasn't fought over a man, but a woman.

Herod wouldn't have killed John the Baptist without the influence of the women in his life.

Akish wouldn't have killed the Jaredite king if Jared's daughter wasn't fair and he didn't want to marry her.

Samson wouldn't have fallen without Delilah

Wars are fought, inventions are created, civilizations are built, and challenges are conquered because men are caught in the power of women.

This is why we need authority - not to oppress you, but to be able to protect society against your innate power.