Lecture 8: Explanations for Patriarchy

1. SC2220: Gender Studies: Explanations for Patriarchy Dr. Eric C. Thompson

2. Recall from Last Week…

3. Range of Matriarchy/Patriarchy All things being equal, we would expect a range of societies – from Highly Matriarchal to Highly Patriarchal. In fact, we find a range of societies from more-or-less Egalitarian to Highly Patriarchal. Societies That Do Not Exist Societies That Do Exist Egalitarian Very Matriarchal Very Patriarchal WHY?

6. Condition of Patriarchy #1: Childcare and Investment in Offspring

7. Fact: Human Offspring Require Substantial Care, Feeding and Investment of Resources (Preferably by Adults)

13. Fact: Human Offspring Require Substantial Care, Feeding and Investment of Resources Who is going to do this?

20. Condition of Patriarchy #2: Sexual Exchange

29. Adult Male Adult Female Infant Surplus Resources Sexual Gratification Surplus Resources Human Pair Bonding & Sexual Exchange System Be VERY Clear: This is only one part of human exchange, sexuality, and bonding systems. For example, Fathers very commonly give resources to children (in the absence of any relationship to the Mother). Men and Women very commonly exchange things other than sex for resources ( pure love does exist ; but, it to is only one small part of the human system).

32. Model of Individual Subjectivity/Objectivity Humans as Subjects and Objects Subjectivity Reflexive Cognition, Attitudes, Desires Objectivity Embodied Physical Presence People are both subjects and objects. As objects, we are embodied beings. In part, this is merely physical presence. But socially, and especially sexually, we are objects in relationship to the subjectivity of others. In complex economic arrangements, for example, our labor can be bought, sold, and utilized not only by ourselves but by others. In sexual relations, we are the embodied objects of others’ desires. “ Objectivity” (in this sense) is the quality of being an embodied physical presence. “ Subjectivity” is the quality of reflective cognition, attitudes and desires (which motivate activity and behaviors).

35. Condition of Patriarchy #3: Socioeconomic Structure

37. Foraging (a.k.a. “Hunting & Gathering”) Economic Independence Distribution Of Valued Goods Use of Force & Warfare All able-bodied adults can supply their own food. Childbearing limits women from hunting; men usually control distribution of meat (prestige food) No institutionalized warfare; disputes settled by moving High gender equality. Some greater male prestige from hunting. More hunting => greater male prestige.

38. Horticulture (Digging Stick, Hoe, Shifting Cultivation) Economic Independence Distribution Of Valued Goods Use of Force & Warfare Small groups are economically interdependent . High contribution of women’s labor. Childbearing limits women from clearing land; but this activity does not confer much status to men. Institutionalized warfare sometimes; land becomes temporary property; more deadly with metal technology Great variation in gender inequality. High contribution of women’s labor => high status; High warfare => low status for women.

39. Herding (Nomadic, Seasonal Migration) Economic Independence Distribution Of Valued Goods Use of Force & Warfare Women excluded from important subsistence tasks; High dependence on men. Childbearing limits women from herding; men usually control distribution of meat (prestige food) Institutionalized warfare common; raiding for food surplus, animals and slaves. Very high gender inequality; High status of men; women have low status and high dependence.

40. Agriculture (Plow, Intensive Cultivation) Economic Independence Distribution Of Valued Goods Use of Force & Warfare Childbearing limits women from plowing; Women relegated to domestic sphere & very dependent Surplus production controlled by small (male) elite; men usually control inheritance of land; “ownership” central Institutionalized warfare common; land becomes chief form of wealth; extreme politico-military hierarchy. Very high gender inequality; High class inequality. “ The plow had a devastating effect on the lives of ordinary people… yet the plow depressed women’s status more than men’s.” (Huber pg.74)

41. Industrialization (Mass Production) Economic Independence Distribution Of Valued Goods Use of Force & Warfare Large groups are economically inter-dependent ; Women significant in work-force; upper class women domestic Surplus production controlled by bourgeois (male) elite Institutionalized warfare common; resources and capital chief forms of wealth; politico-military hierarchy. High gender inequality; Very high class inequality. Class hierarchies more extreme than gender.

42. Post-Industrialization (Mass Consumption) Economic Independence Distribution Of Valued Goods Use of Force & Warfare Large groups are economically inter-dependent ; Women significant in work-force; High prestige work less physical & more flexible. Surplus production controlled by professional elite; Shifting emphasis to consumption rather than production. Institutionalized warfare common; resources and capital chief forms of wealth; politico-military hierarchy. Low(?) gender inequality; Very high class inequality. Class hierarchies more extreme than gender.