Transcript 7th - Patriarchies

Comparing
Patriarchies
Maria Gonzalez, Haruna Heima, Arianna Lee and Mara Whelan
Table of Contents
A CHANGING PATRIARCHY: THE CASE OF CHINA
1. HAN DYNASTY 206 BC – 220 AD, the Emergence of Confucianism
2. UPPER CLASS VS. LOWER CLASS
3. COLLAPSE OF HAN DYNASTY 3rd CENTURY CE, the Emergence of Buddhism,
Daoism & Nomadic Tribes
CONTRASTING PATRIARCHIES: ATHENS vs. SPARTA
4. ATHENS, centuries between 700 and 400 BCE
5. SPARTA
A Changing
Patriarchy:
The Case of China
HAN DYNASTY 206 BC – 220 AD,
the Emergence of
Confucianism
- Elite thinking more explicitly patriarchal and linked to a rising
Confucian ideology:
-Yang, masculine and related to heaven, rulers, strength,
rationality and light whereas…
-Yin, lower female principle associated with earth, weakness,
emotions and darkness. Female inferiority permanent and was
the workings of the universe.
- Two notions summarized ideal position of women (Confucian
text):
-“Men go out, women stay in.”
-“Three obediences - a woman’s subordination first to her
father, then to her husband and finally to her son.”
- Primary duty: to be industrious. Passivity, inferiority,
subordination.
UPPER CLASS VS. LOWER CLASS WOMEN
- Peasant women could hardly follow the Confucian ideal of seclusion
in the home as labor was required in field.
- With price of complete seclusion, elite women still better able to
exercise authority in Chinese society:
- Could apply more power as a mother-in-law.
- Brought a considerable dowry which allowed finance
control, leverage with marriage.
- Women’s role in production of textiles made labor valuable
to family economy.
COLLAPSE OF HAN DYNASTY 3rd CENTURY CE, the
Influence of Nomadic Tribes
- Pastoral peoples invaded Northern China and culturally
influenced the role of women; nomadic women far less restricted
in society than Chinese women.
- By Tang Dynasty, women capable of handling legal/business
affairs, playing sports, wearing men’s clothes, etc.
COLLAPSE OF HAN DYNASTY 3rd CENTURY CE, the
Emergence of Buddhism and Daosim
- Buddhism:
**Empress Wu: Ruled China with support of growing
Buddhist establishment. High-ranking concubine in
imperial court who came to power and acted in pursuit
to elevate position of women.
- Daoism:
-Dao as “mother” emphasized feminine virtue.
-Passive acceptance of both genders rather than maleoriented philosophy. Featured women as priests, nuns,
meditators.
Contrasting
Patriarchies:
Athens vs. Sparta
ATHENS,
centuries between 700 and 400 BCE
- Athens celebrated as a major expression of democracy, but posture
towards women extremely restrictive. As free male citizens moved
toward participation in political life, women experienced growing
limitations:
-No role whatsoever in assembly, councils, juries.
-Exclusion from public life justified by Aristotle: “a woman, as it
were, an infertile male.” Inadequacy linked to inability to produce
sperm.
- Radical segregation of male and female space in the home.
Women expected to remain at home unless extremely poor.
- Generally married in mid-teens to men 10-15 years older.
ATHENS, centuries between 700 and 400 BCE (cont.)
*Aspasia – Treated as an equal partner by Pericles, viewed
as hetaera in Greek social circles: professional and
educated woman.
SPARTA
-Helots far outnumbered Spartans, so Sparta’s answer: highly
militaristic regime to keep helots in place.
-Militaristic system had implications for women that offered them
greater freedom and fewer restrictions:
- Because central task was reproduction/ bearing warrior
sons for Sparta, encouraged to strengthen their bodies via
sports; running, wrestling, driving chariots.
- Education prescribed by state.
- Usually married to men of their own age, approx. 18 years
- Trial period for marriage. Divorce and remarriage for
women was readily available.
- Exercised authority in home and town because men were
so often away at war.
QUESTION:
Social inequality was embedded in the gender
systems of second-wave civilizations China, Athens
and Sparta.
Select two of these three civilizations
(China/Athens/Sparta) and describe one major
difference in the roles/restrictions of women as
well as one major similarity in the roles/restrictions
of women between the societies.
Thanks for watching!
SOURCE:
Ways of the World, A Global History of Sources
by Robert W. Strayer
PICTURES:
https://www.google.com/search?gs_rn=27&gs_ri=psyab&tok=cQHCWypHPcojZPjNNhfnNQ&pq=chinese+peasants+&cp=1&gs_id=4&xhr=t&q=ancient+chinese+peasants&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.53217764,d.aWM&biw=1600&
bih=837&dpr=1&um=1&ie=UTF8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=1epEUp3rLoTGrQGa24CYAQ#hl=en&q=woman+on+chariot&tbm=isch&um=1&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=EFUUg2jnV9w67M%3
A%3BBcbqOjnFBcjS8M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fthequeenofheaven.files.wordpress.com%252F2010%252F11%252Ffreyja_riding_with_her_cats_1874.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F
%252Fthequeenofheaven.wordpress.com%252F2010%252F11%252F16%252Fasherah-part-iii-the-lion-lady%252F%3B1768%3B1444,
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/exhibits/portraits/index.php?img=17,
http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/womenenc/zetian.htm,
http://www.echinacities.com/expat-corner/Visiting-in-Ancient-China,
http://historyoftheworld.pbworks.com/w/page/18552081/6th%20Hour's%20Song%20Dynasty%20Exhibits