Patriarchy in India, China, Greece and Rome Essay -- Sociology, Classi

Most classical societys political and social organization revolved around the mind of patriarchy, a male dominated social system. This system exacerbated the inherit difference between men and woman and assigned gender roles based on these observations. hands were generally regarded as superior to woman therefore given greater religious and political roles as well as more legal rights. As the natural inverse, women were subordinated and seen as week their main roles reproductive and domestic. Information about patriarchy in the classical era, though abundant, was, for the most part, written by men, therefore history does not give us an accurate depiction of womens viewpoints. Four societies of the classical era, India, China, Greece, and Rome, adopted a patriarchal system, however, due to many factors, each developed identifi open characteristics. Because they did not have a traditional role in government, women had work their way around the system to gain any fictional character of political leverage. Empress Lu violated every cultural and social norm by retaining authority as a regent throughout the reins of her son, grandson and adopted grandson. Tradidtionaly regents rule from behind the scenes while the emperor himself was unable to make decisions, usualy due to age or heath complications, however Empress Lu eradicated any competitors for the thrown. As the end of her direct was nearing, she expected her nephews to succeed her. Even as the first empress, not unfamiliar with disrupting tradition, she left the emperorship to the next male in her bloodline (Doc. 5) not a female. though Empress Lu defied all expectations of women, her power as an Empress was still undisputed due to the Mandate of Heaven, an idea originating in the Shang dynasty.... ...c. 4). This is an example of one of the seven unequal relationships in Confucianism. Much of the social structure of classical China was based on Confucian ideals (Doc. 3). In Greece the relationship betw een a husband and wife overly very unequal due to her young age and lack of education. Alone a woman had no political rights and limited legal powers therefore is was requirement for a husband to provide for his wife much like a father would (Doc. 6) A woman would learn house hold management and in the end produce heirs. These two similar systems of social roles was not a benevolent system. It did not take into account the welfare of individuals, particularly woman who had little power to leave in a bad marital situation. However by insuring that people know their place, which kept them in line, classical societies were more prosperous and able to run more smoothly.