Second Wave Civilizations

Class and gender inequalities in Second Wave Civilizations largely served to solidify the power of the ruling classes, ensure that all occupations and duties are fulfilled and create order. In China, the popular philosophy of Confucianism dictated that authority was to be respected and observed. Confucianism characterized society as a composition of many unequal relationships- be it government over man, man over wife, or wife over child. Each person had their place and acted in deference to their superiors. Each person was born into their class, and class decided their occupation, duties, and quality of education. Confucianism was deeply patriarchal in addition to elitist and dictated that the subordinate nature of women was rooted in the structure of the universe. Family structure was of great importance, and women were taught to serve their husbands and prepare their children. In accordance with Confucian values, the government exerted great control over all facets of …show more content…
The caste system is integrally related to Hindu tradition and is cemented by the religious belief that higher caste individuals were more virtuous in past lives and thus deserving of higher status. Each of the five classes has its own role in society and duties towards the gods. It is not possible to change castes in one’s lifetime, but it is believed that by leading a pure life and completing the rituals and religious acts appropriate for one’s caste, a person can be reincarnated into a higher caste. This religious philosophy creates a greater justification for the existence of the caste system as well as a person’s position in it. Hindu traditional also legitimized the strict patriarchy of Indian society: women’s subordinance and impurity were divinely ordained. Women were merely a weak version of men, bound to serve the men in their lives, and unworthy of many facets of religious education and