Gender Roles in Prehistoric and Ancient Times

Prehistoric Times

• Roles were determined by physical features.
• Men hunted due to strength and women focused on child-rearing.
• Hunter-gatherer tribes and civilizations prioritized equality among members.

Ancient Times

• Archeological artifacts reveal that during the dawn of civilizations, human societies held women in high regard.
• The concept of the divine feminine prevailed, leading to women being treated equally with men.
• Egalitarian principle: Men and women have equitable power and roles.
• Patriarchy: Men hold primary power in political and private spheres, ruling over women and children.
• Patriarchy is based on the control and oppression of women, who are perceived as the weaker sex.
• Patriarchy originated from the Greek word "Patriarkhes," meaning "the rule of the father."
• Patrilineal society often follows a patriarchal society. Men inherit property and family names, while women are dependent on men and lack civil rights.
• Friedrich Engels, a German philosopher and sociologist, argued that patriarchy emerged when people transitioned from communal living to private property ownership.

Historical Views on Gender: Greece

• Aristotle, Plato, and other Greek philosophers viewed women as inferior and the property of men.
• Women were expected to obey their husbands, bear children, and manage the household.
• They were forbidden to pursue education in philosophy, politics, and science.

Historical Views on Gender: Egypt

• Herodotus, a Greek historian, observed that Egyptian women held a higher social status than Greek women.
• Greek influence spread in Egypt through the conquests of Alexander the Great, impacting women's societal roles.

Historical Views on Gender: China

• Confucianism imposed strict rules on women's conduct.
• Traditional Confucian culture in China emphasized unequal gender stratification and power distribution, based on the principle of "Three Obedience."
• Women were expected to obey their fathers before marriage, their husbands after marriage, and their sons after their husband's death.
• Obedience was the primary criterion for judging a woman's character.
• Matriarchy: A society or government ruled by women.

Historical Views on Gender: Religion

• Monotheism, prevalent in religions like Judaism, Islam, and Zoroastrianism, is characterized by a supreme male deity.
• Polytheism, like Hinduism, features equal roles for male and female deities, but ultimate governance remains in the hands of a male deity.

Historical Views on Gender: Japan

• Amaterasu is the goddess of the sun in Japanese mythology.

Historical Views on Gender: Ancient Greece

• Notable Greek philosophers like Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates were gay, acknowledging same-sex attraction and relationships.
• Sappho, a renowned female poet, celebrated love for women.
• Pederasty, a sexual relationship between an adult man and a boy, was a socially accepted practice in Ancient Greece and Rome.

Pre-colonial Philippines

• Men and women across the Philippine archipelago held equal status due to a bilateral kinship system.
• Datu: The wealthiest, strongest, wisest, and often bravest clan member, who held the position of head.
• Babaylan: The spiritual leader, representing the status of women in a community. This role could be filled by males as well, although they were often effeminate or openly homosexual.
• Datu and Babaylan worked together in important social activities, with the Babaylan leading rituals.
• Ancient Filipinos embraced polygyny, allowing men to have multiple wives.
• Abortion was common practice.
• Family planning wasn't practiced, and having many children was considered undesirable and even shameful.

Explore the evolution of gender roles from prehistoric times to ancient civilizations in this quiz. Understand how societal structures, including patriarchy and egalitarian principles, shaped the roles of men and women. Delve into the significance of archaeological findings and the impact of the divine feminine in early societies.