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

Most classical societys semipolitical and tender organization revolved around the idea of patriarchy, a male person dominated social system of rules. This system exacerbated the inherit difference between manpower and woman and assigned gender roles based on these observations. Men were largely regarded as superior to woman therefore given greater spectral and political roles as well as more(prenominal) intelligent rights. As the natural inverse, women were subordinated and seen as week their main roles reproductive and domestic. Information just about patriarchy in the classical era, though abundant, was, for the most part, written by men, therefore history does not give us an accurate motion picture of womens viewpoints. Four societies of the classical era, India, China, Greece, and Rome, adopted a patriarchal system, up to now, callable to many factors, each developed identifiable characteristics. Because they did not have a traditional role in government, women had wo rk their way around the system to gain any type of political leverage. Empress Lu violated all(prenominal) cultural and social norm by retaining power as a regent throughout the reins of her son, grandson and adopted grandson. Tradidtionaly regents ruled from behind the scenes while the emperor moth 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 reign was nearing, she expected her nephews to come through her. Even as the first empress, not unfamiliar with disrupting tradition, she left the emperorship to the future(a) 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 canon 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 between a husband and married woman also very unequal due to her young age and pretermit of education. Alone a woman had no political rights and limited legal powers therefore is was necessary for a husband to provide for his wife much like a father would (Doc. 6) A woman would learn dwelling hold management and eventually produce heirs. These two similar systems of social roles was not a benevolent system. It did not take into account the wellbeing of individuals, particularly woman who had little power to leave in a bad marital situation. However by insuring that people know their place, which unploughed them in line, classical societies were more prosperous and able to run more smoothly.