The Creation Of Patriarchy Analysis

Women have been deemed not only unequal, but inferior, to men for as long as our manipulated historical records can tell. This concept, more than likely, is a result of the process in which ancient societies developed their symbol systems. Early humans formed ideologies surrounding their existence, believing that they had a greater purpose than their nature allowed; they had not been born to this earth simply to survive as animals do, bound to the nature of their bodies, but separated themselves from it, allowing them to achieve things far greater than bodily functions including consumption, defecation, and procreation. This notion of separation from one’s natural body, however, was true only for men. Women, in contrast, have always been defined …show more content…
The symbolic identity men assigned themselves, that they had a greater destiny than to survive menially, inspired the creation of societies, working tools, and developed languages. These, in turn, influenced the progression of technology and intellect. Man was able to achieve far more than any other living creature could imagine. The invention of these things, societal structures and technology alike, assisted the man in separating himself from his natural body. He could look beyond the restrictive limitations and routine functions that held him back as an organic being; therefore, seeing himself in an immortal light. He created symbols for himself that surpassed his nature. Gera Lerner, author of, “The Creation of Patriarchy” believes that man created these symbols for themselves in order to deal …show more content…
It was because of this fact that female babies in Athenian societies were often subject to infanticide at the discretion of the father. Within Spartan societies, women were regarded with slightly higher honor; however, that honor was only bestowed upon them by their sons. Sparta’s consistent need for soldiers put an emphasis of importance on a woman’s ability to bear children. Female babies were not as often subjected to infanticide in Sparta because, while males were preferred, females were also essential for bearing more potential soldiers. Women were celebrated alongside soldiers for their contribution, and the only infants left for dead were male babies too sickly to become strong soldiers in their adulthood. A woman only needed to have a womb to be considered worthy of life because her purpose or destiny as a woman, to bear children, could be fulfilled, but an infant boy not suited for measures surpassing his physical self was seen as useless. Women were shown appreciation for their ability to have children by allowing them to have their names inscribed on a tombstone upon death during childbirth, an honor only otherwise given to a fallen soldier in battle. Athenians, in contrast, never recognized women for their contributions in childbirth. In the Greek play, The Furies, Apollo said, “…the mother is not the parent of the child which is called hers. She is the nurse who tend