Historical and Philosophical Views on Patriarchy and Gender

A German philosopher and sociologist theorizes that patriarchy arose with the concept of private property, replacing communal living. Advances in agriculture and animal domestication led to a surplus of products, enabling private ownership. To control this accumulated wealth, male dominance was established, ensuring that only male heirs could inherit family assets, thus solidifying patriarchal structures.

In ancient Greece, philosophers like Aristotle and Plato considered women inferior and essentially men's property. Their primary roles were to obey husbands, bear children, and manage the household. Women were explicitly barred from participating in philosophy, politics, and science.

Herodotus noted that Egyptian women enjoyed a higher social standing than their Greek counterparts, with rights to inherit property and engage in trade and politics. However, the influence of Greek culture, spread by Alexander the Great's conquests, eventually impacted Egyptian society.

Confucianism in China imposed strict codes of conduct for women, as detailed in texts like 'Three Obedience's and Four Virtues' and 'Precepts of Women'. These doctrines mandated that women obey their fathers, then their husbands upon marriage, and their sons if widowed.

Sexism is defined as prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination based on sex. Manifestations of sexism include the gender pay gap, where men typically earn more than women, and the underrepresentation of women in political, military, and executive leadership positions. Additionally, society often imposes very conservative expectations on how women should behave.