Man of Ethics
Gold Member
- Feb 28, 2021
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In this nanoessay I discuss the Patriarchy as it existed for about Four Millennia up to early XXth Century. Patriarchy has provided happiness and well-being to billions of men over millennia. Patriarchy was unfair and exploitative toward most women, who had to sacrifice their labor and resources. Nevertheless, most women were protected from abuse and could own property. After the Industrial Revolution, any system based on servitude became unviable. Patriarchy ended in most places, and it can never be brought back. At this point, Egalitarian system is the best choice.
We can consider the scope of Patriarchal Civilization. Not all Cultures and Civilizations were Patriarchal. Some were mildly Patriarchal and a few were Gynocentric. I would estimate that about 60% of those who lived during the last 40 Centuries lived in truly Patriarchal cultures. About 70 billion people have lived during the last four millennia. Here. This implies that about 30 million adults lived during these times. About 9 billion adult men and 9 billion adult women have lived during Patriarchy. Patriarchal Civilization has a very long History involving hundreds of Cultures. Thousands of books have been written about everyday life and Sociology of these Cultures.
In order to understand the Patriarchy, we must understand life and economic reality of all pre-Industrial societies. Resources were very limited. Production per capita was lower then that in the poorest Nation in 2021. Child mortality was 30% to 50%. Here. Between the time of Hammurabi and late XVIIIth Century, agrarian life and everyday technology did not change much. In addition to natural difficulties, a significant portion of the fruits of labor of most people was expropriated by States and Elites. Outright Slavery was rare, but "mild" forms of economic exploitation were prevalent. Overall, for the vast majority of people, life was difficult.
Most people over the millennia were poor and exploited by Elites and States. The Patriarchy gave men a position of authority and help within their own households. Most women loved their husbands and helped them in the difficult World. Dr. Jordan Peterson calls this arrangement Enforced Monogamy. He has been subject to much public abuse over this opinion. Here. Enforced monogamy means socially-promoted, culturally-inculcated monogamy. For most men, having a partner who loves and respects them is the definition of Happiness.
Patriarchal Society was unfair to women. Most women were on the bottom of Social Hierarchy and had many duties and responsibilities. Nevertheless, in many Patriarchal societies women were protected from abuse. Hammurabi's code allowed a wife to divorce her neglectful and abusive husband. Wife beating was prohibited in American Colonies since XVIIth Century. Married women could own property in most Patriarchal Societies. Here.
Throughout History, the vast majority of men did not hate women. Philogyny was much more common then Misogyny. Here.
Definitely, by Modern Standards, Patriarchy is very unfair. Inequality is wrong. The Founding Fathers of America understood that All Humans are Created Equal. Sadly they did not follow this principle. After the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, every system of servitude became unviable. In places, where Patriarchy still exists it is waning rapidly.
We can consider the scope of Patriarchal Civilization. Not all Cultures and Civilizations were Patriarchal. Some were mildly Patriarchal and a few were Gynocentric. I would estimate that about 60% of those who lived during the last 40 Centuries lived in truly Patriarchal cultures. About 70 billion people have lived during the last four millennia. Here. This implies that about 30 million adults lived during these times. About 9 billion adult men and 9 billion adult women have lived during Patriarchy. Patriarchal Civilization has a very long History involving hundreds of Cultures. Thousands of books have been written about everyday life and Sociology of these Cultures.
In order to understand the Patriarchy, we must understand life and economic reality of all pre-Industrial societies. Resources were very limited. Production per capita was lower then that in the poorest Nation in 2021. Child mortality was 30% to 50%. Here. Between the time of Hammurabi and late XVIIIth Century, agrarian life and everyday technology did not change much. In addition to natural difficulties, a significant portion of the fruits of labor of most people was expropriated by States and Elites. Outright Slavery was rare, but "mild" forms of economic exploitation were prevalent. Overall, for the vast majority of people, life was difficult.
Most people over the millennia were poor and exploited by Elites and States. The Patriarchy gave men a position of authority and help within their own households. Most women loved their husbands and helped them in the difficult World. Dr. Jordan Peterson calls this arrangement Enforced Monogamy. He has been subject to much public abuse over this opinion. Here. Enforced monogamy means socially-promoted, culturally-inculcated monogamy. For most men, having a partner who loves and respects them is the definition of Happiness.
Patriarchal Society was unfair to women. Most women were on the bottom of Social Hierarchy and had many duties and responsibilities. Nevertheless, in many Patriarchal societies women were protected from abuse. Hammurabi's code allowed a wife to divorce her neglectful and abusive husband. Wife beating was prohibited in American Colonies since XVIIth Century. Married women could own property in most Patriarchal Societies. Here.
Throughout History, the vast majority of men did not hate women. Philogyny was much more common then Misogyny. Here.
Definitely, by Modern Standards, Patriarchy is very unfair. Inequality is wrong. The Founding Fathers of America understood that All Humans are Created Equal. Sadly they did not follow this principle. After the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, every system of servitude became unviable. In places, where Patriarchy still exists it is waning rapidly.
