Patriarchy
Let’s start our lecture on Patriarchy. First, we should know what it stands for, the meaning –
A system of society where males are dominating and are real head is called a patriarchal society. In this society, female gets second position.
First of all, we need to know the origin of patriarchy. From where does the patriarchal system developed?
Noted historian, Rahul Sankritayayan in his book-‘Volga se Gaga’ gives a brief history of development of patriarchy.
In Stone Age, men and women were not differentiated. Both men and women did the same work. They both go on hunting, gathering food, cutting trees, working on farms, etc. Women were no less than men. But over the time patriarchal society developed. People started agriculture and migrated in search of fertile land. The quarrel among different tribes to conquer more lands for agriculture was the result. The tribes attacked one another. Plundered their grains and tools. They even carried women as a property or as a sign of victory. Gradually women became the sign of honour and respect. They became the primary part of the house and were given household responsibilities and men worked in the fields. Men had to protect their women and for that confinement in home was necessary. Slowly and slowly they became physically weak. Their intelligence also got suppressed because only men took all the political decisions in tribal community. Further, male started dominating female which is specially known as male ego and is viewed as naturally inherited.
Today, one can again feel the resonance of patriarchal society. It still engulfs the Indian culture whereas in other countries, it is subduing.
This was the brief history of Patriarchal society. There are several characteristics of a patriarchal society. The first and foremost characteristic feature of patriarchal society is that identity of a male-head is the identity of the family. A woman has no identity of her own. She is known as someone’s daughter, wife, sister etc. Even today in rural areas one knows women as Chunnu’s aunty, Bablu’s wife etc. In developed states, wife of Ravi Mishra is called Mrs.Mishra. Why not husband of Neetu Devi is known as Mr.Devi. This is patriarchy.
Another feature of Patriarchal society is the Pardah System. Women are kept under a veil. She could not go to places where males are sitting or working. She has no freedom to choose her workplace. She clothes, she walks, she sits, and she stands according to men’s voice. Although pardah signifies a women’s right to procure privacy for her, her will to live with democracy but with men will it becomes her shackle.
In patriarchal society women are made prized possessions for family or clan. In patriarchal society, insulting one’s woman means a heinous crime. Men become thirsty of blood of each other and irony is that woman has no say in this regard. She can’t say anything about her own insult. This leads to infamous ‘honour killing’ where daughter of their own family is killed by male members of family. This is because male members are the ones who decide how to undo the dishonours of their honour.
In this regard, one can notice there are several abuses (common and uncommon) used in northern Hindi speaking states of India which are based on women. Alas! It is the status of a woman. All of these abuses are made and used by man to make them furious over each other. It is the status of honour of males. (Huh! Shame upon them)
Further on, in recent history we have several examples where panchayat gave decisions (in rape case) to rape a woman of the family of culprit (the rapist) to create justice. This is because a woman is the most delicate honour for males surrounding her. A patriarch would rather choose to destroy her (woman belonging to the accused) instead of destroying the culprit.
In patriarchal society, there is no social, economic, spiritual right for women. A woman never decides what should be done in her father’s family or in that of her in-laws. It’s a sacred domain of males. Regarding participation in political process, women weren’t given right to vote till 1929 in England which is said to be cradle of democracy.
Even in property sharing, marital decisions, in rituals, she has no right. We will find umpteen numbers of religious decrees against women. All the religion asked women to sacrifice herself and her wishes for greater good of society. Irony is that in the whole history of human civilization there is no prophet who is woman. There are only few women saints in history. This is because patriarchal society doesn’t allow a woman to attain salvation rather she is told that she’ll get her fruits for her good deeds in heaven. It means a woman become follower in a patriarchal society. Even she can’t select her leader whom she is to follow.
Seeing through the deeds of time we are not able to see any end to the patriarchal system. Evident to this is the development of cinema, politics, and time. After knowing much about Patriarchy now it is time for us to decide what is wrong and right. Consider yourself as a female and then draw a conclusion of what is happening and what should happen. Lecture series have a motto and after this lecture we hope at least the readers would boycott the patriarchy system because we know that journey of thousand miles begins with a single step.
Let’s start our lecture on Patriarchy. First, we should know what it stands for, the meaning –
A system of society where males are dominating and are real head is called a patriarchal society. In this society, female gets second position.
First of all, we need to know the origin of patriarchy. From where does the patriarchal system developed?
Noted historian, Rahul Sankritayayan in his book-‘Volga se Gaga’ gives a brief history of development of patriarchy.
In Stone Age, men and women were not differentiated. Both men and women did the same work. They both go on hunting, gathering food, cutting trees, working on farms, etc. Women were no less than men. But over the time patriarchal society developed. People started agriculture and migrated in search of fertile land. The quarrel among different tribes to conquer more lands for agriculture was the result. The tribes attacked one another. Plundered their grains and tools. They even carried women as a property or as a sign of victory. Gradually women became the sign of honour and respect. They became the primary part of the house and were given household responsibilities and men worked in the fields. Men had to protect their women and for that confinement in home was necessary. Slowly and slowly they became physically weak. Their intelligence also got suppressed because only men took all the political decisions in tribal community. Further, male started dominating female which is specially known as male ego and is viewed as naturally inherited.
Today, one can again feel the resonance of patriarchal society. It still engulfs the Indian culture whereas in other countries, it is subduing.
This was the brief history of Patriarchal society. There are several characteristics of a patriarchal society. The first and foremost characteristic feature of patriarchal society is that identity of a male-head is the identity of the family. A woman has no identity of her own. She is known as someone’s daughter, wife, sister etc. Even today in rural areas one knows women as Chunnu’s aunty, Bablu’s wife etc. In developed states, wife of Ravi Mishra is called Mrs.Mishra. Why not husband of Neetu Devi is known as Mr.Devi. This is patriarchy.
Another feature of Patriarchal society is the Pardah System. Women are kept under a veil. She could not go to places where males are sitting or working. She has no freedom to choose her workplace. She clothes, she walks, she sits, and she stands according to men’s voice. Although pardah signifies a women’s right to procure privacy for her, her will to live with democracy but with men will it becomes her shackle.
In patriarchal society women are made prized possessions for family or clan. In patriarchal society, insulting one’s woman means a heinous crime. Men become thirsty of blood of each other and irony is that woman has no say in this regard. She can’t say anything about her own insult. This leads to infamous ‘honour killing’ where daughter of their own family is killed by male members of family. This is because male members are the ones who decide how to undo the dishonours of their honour.
In this regard, one can notice there are several abuses (common and uncommon) used in northern Hindi speaking states of India which are based on women. Alas! It is the status of a woman. All of these abuses are made and used by man to make them furious over each other. It is the status of honour of males. (Huh! Shame upon them)
Further on, in recent history we have several examples where panchayat gave decisions (in rape case) to rape a woman of the family of culprit (the rapist) to create justice. This is because a woman is the most delicate honour for males surrounding her. A patriarch would rather choose to destroy her (woman belonging to the accused) instead of destroying the culprit.
In patriarchal society, there is no social, economic, spiritual right for women. A woman never decides what should be done in her father’s family or in that of her in-laws. It’s a sacred domain of males. Regarding participation in political process, women weren’t given right to vote till 1929 in England which is said to be cradle of democracy.
Even in property sharing, marital decisions, in rituals, she has no right. We will find umpteen numbers of religious decrees against women. All the religion asked women to sacrifice herself and her wishes for greater good of society. Irony is that in the whole history of human civilization there is no prophet who is woman. There are only few women saints in history. This is because patriarchal society doesn’t allow a woman to attain salvation rather she is told that she’ll get her fruits for her good deeds in heaven. It means a woman become follower in a patriarchal society. Even she can’t select her leader whom she is to follow.
Seeing through the deeds of time we are not able to see any end to the patriarchal system. Evident to this is the development of cinema, politics, and time. After knowing much about Patriarchy now it is time for us to decide what is wrong and right. Consider yourself as a female and then draw a conclusion of what is happening and what should happen. Lecture series have a motto and after this lecture we hope at least the readers would boycott the patriarchy system because we know that journey of thousand miles begins with a single step.
Prepared by:
Asim & Shahbaz
Asim & Shahbaz
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