There is a historical for the sujugation of women. This awareness would help one to undersatnd the slow progress
in the equlity campagin.
Till the recent past women have been a second class citizen living under the shadow of man. This has been the case in all the advanced and underdeveloped societies till a century or two ago.
The developed societies have shuttered the shackles that have bound women and they are largely on their own although there is much to be improved even now. But intellectual equality is
accepted and education is available for all and women can work outside home and decide on their fertility and life. There are still cases of violence against women,
unequal pay in some sectors and certain discriminations. But even the household chores and taking care of the child are getting shared and social equality is accepted.
But in the developing and under developing countries, women lead a pathetic life comparable to slavery. In the metropolitan cities and urban areas there could be some pretense of a change.
They are generally instruments for sex gratification and child bearing and they are shut within the four walls of their homes doing 12-14 hours of unpaid work. They have no say in running the house or deciding their future. They are under the subjugation of males.
How has this evolved?
How did women become under the dominance of men?
Intellectually and mentally she is on an equal footing. Her IQ, EQ levels are definitely at par with man. In the emotional sector, she is
stronger. She is more patient and empathetic and understanding. She can bring up children better by creating an emotional bond which man may find difficult.
Well, as man climbed down the trees and started living in communities, women were often pregnant and she had to tend to a newborn baby for a long period. ( 10-15 years whereas other species need much less time). Naturally the male undertook to safeguard and feed them He had to go in search of food or hunt animals. Both of the latter called for better muscles and better body and strength. There were often fights for the best females and wars between tribes. Only men participated in them and they decided the outcome.
Thwarting attacking animals and engaging in duels with them, whenever it was called for, were all the responsibilities of men. Naturally their arms and legs evolved stronger and so his physical strength and stamina.
Women were confined to the shelter, later to the huts or houses, most of the time. She would be tending to the young one or carrying. The household chores naturally became her responsibilities. The male, once he procured enough food and ensured his family’s safety, he would take rest. This he continues even today.
All the important decisions were taken by men. Woman had specific or defined roles which were connected with house. Man had to fight the enemy and was in charge of the social codes of ethics and he dealt with the gods as they put in their appearance. Man became god’s representatives or priests and he offered prayers and offerings and sacrifices and intervened on behalf of the family and women.
No wonder man got the authority from the gods to decide on behalf of his wards, wives and kids. As he was the representative of the tribal chieftain or king ( remember he only did the fighting for them) his position became slowly unassailable.
What has thus become universally accepted will take a long time to be undone.
Man is no more under the threat of wild animals and men do not have to fetch food or kill animals to feed his partner and kids and further, gods are no more the sole property of men. The present has taken away the evolutionary factors which made him stronger and more powerful, but what has been established for a long time cannot be erased in short while. But the process is on. And the time man and woman will be equal