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Women In Early Civilizations

436 Words2 Pages

Back in early history during the first civilizations, men had authority and power over women, making them in control of everything. They were held higher and superior. This kind of society was known as a patriarchal society. Women abided by the rules set by men since they were usually rulers, warriors, scholars, and head of households (Strayer, p. 59). When it came to legal and property rights, men reaped the benefits. They were able to control the lives of the women in their families but yet the women still required the protection and control of men (Strayer, p. 59). Patriarchal societies occurred in quite a few of the early civilizations. One for example is the South Asian civilization. Women of India were prohibited from attending public …show more content…

The men were still known as leaders and women were to follow. Unlike the South Asian civilization, Chinese widows were legally allowed to remarry but it was extremely frowned upon. “To walk through two courtyards is a source of shame for a woman” (Strayer, p. 255). This enforced patriarchy lead to food binding in women which was related with feminine beauty and eroticism. Foot binding also kept the women constrained to their homes where they are said to belong (Strayer, p. 255). Similar to South Asia civilization and China, Mesopotamia is part of a patriarchal society as well. The laws are nowhere near equal for women and men, it was a double standard. Men were allowed to have affairs with other women as long as it’s not another man’s wife, but if a woman was caught with another man, her husband would make the decision as to whether or not she is to be drowned. Everything was easier for the men, including divorce. While out in public women who are under the control of a man is expected to cover their head by wearing a veil (Strayer,

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