Comments on: Is Patriarchy Oppression?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 11 Mar 2006 19:43:00 +0000

Hi Roger,
In many far east cultures, women have low social status. For example, in China, inheritance is generally only given to male offspring. (my wife is Taiwanese)
Another interesting aspect of this, is that in China March 8 (which just passed) is “women's day” a day in which men are supposed to give special treatment to women. A co-worker of mine, also Chinese, asked me on that day why Americans dont celebrate “women's day” and noted that not only in China, but in Europe, they recognize this day. (That argument never works for me …I'm with Scalia) Part of her reasoning was also according to their society “all other days are man's day”.
Could it be that feminism is on the upswing in these traditionally partriarchal societies?
Also, is it possible that without the bible, some societies might not recognize that men/women are equal but have different roles?
Anyways,I just thought you might find this interesting. I enjoy this blogsite.
Shalom,
Sheldon

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 22:46:00 +0000

Hi Roger. If declining birthrates in the West leads to the resurgence of patriarchal oppression; and if one of the reasons for declining birthrates in the West is due to the prevalence of elective abortion, then it is ironic that Feminism (which advocates elective abortion) is actually one of the causes of patriarchy making a comeback. Matriarchy shoots herself in the foot.
Also consider: we've heard in pop-psychology that behind every man is a woman, and that most of men's emotional/psychological disorders stemmed from his childhood relationship with his mother (see Freud). That means behind every abusive patriarchy is an abusive matriarchy. Matriarchy does it to herself again!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 00:37:00 +0000

Roger, have you read about the matriarchic (not feminist) societies in ancient Greece and early Europe? There were such societies elsewhere also. Fascinating books explore the subject, including those by Riane Eisler, Jacquetta Hawkins, John Mansley Robinson, Raphael Patai, and Marija Gimbutas. Some scholars found evidence that these societies existed prior to patriarchal ones.
Vicky

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 23:45:00 +0000

Patriarchy can be oppression, just like marriage can be oppressive – or not – depending on the husband. Patriarchy itself isn't the problem. The problem is the hearts of the husbands and the hearts of the wives. Of course, political agendas, laws, and “rights” don't allow for discussion of individuals. Instead, all men and all women are lumped into two categories defined by our physical anatomy instead of the beliefs we stand by and the causes we support.
I live in a patriarchal marriage. My husband leads, but his leadership isn't oppressive. We're partners in life. We support each other. When decision time comes, we agree 95% of the time. For the few times we can't agree and a decision has to be made, he makes the choice and pays for the consequences of that choice.
Terri
http://womanunleashed.blogspot.com (a new/old perspective on Christian womanhood)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 21:39:00 +0000

Hi Vicky,
I don't know of any society that wasn't patriarchic prior to the success of First-Wave Feminism (non-radical) in Europe and North America. The unifying factor among patriarchic societies is simply that men are viewed as the leaders- the head of households and government. I think it is incorrect that all of these societies viewed men as superior in value to women, but they would agree that men are more

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 21:14:00 +0000

I forgot to mention that some societies, including Greek society, were “patriarchal” before the advent of Christianity; patriarchal concepts of hierarchy appear to fade in and out of other cultures, not just our own.
Vicky (again)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 21:10:00 +0000

Hi Roger,
I don't think patriarchy “is” oppression, and I don't think patriarchy can be defined solely in terms of the idea put forth in some parts of the Bible that men are to be heads of households. According to my reading of history, the concept of patriarchy slid into place somewhat after Christianity became established, andbegan to fade from practice at some point in the mid-twentieth century. Patriarchy may be generally defined as the idea that males are superior, or higher on the hierarchy of power and fitness to rule, than females. The Bible, however, indicates in many places that male and female stand at the same level on a natural hierarchy: below God, above animals. In the Bible, women are often seen in leadership positions, in both old and new testaments. In my understanding, that which we call “patriarchy” emerged out of the detailed, orderly, and highly unbiblical concept of hierarchy which developed in and after the Renaissance, in answer to previous chaos.
If anyone has any variant historical reading to offer in agreement or in opposition, I'd be interested to hear it. History and philosophy develop in such close-knit interaction; it's fascinating to think about.
Vicky