Evolution of Patriarchy and Matriarchy in Ancient Civilizations

The Evolution of Matriarchy to Patriarchy

Patriarchy is defined as “a system in which men largely control women and children and also shape ideas about appropriate gender behavior.” Throughout history, climate change brought on changes throughout all developing civilizations and societies, most importantly in agriculture. The development of agriculture led to the formation of complex societies, the idea of surplus, population growth, and new technologies. As these effects of agriculture became more prominent in growing societies, women were unable to participate in some of the economic and agricultural activities due to their biological purpose – reproduction. The new working environments were unsuitable for children, which caused women in society to remain at home and raise the children or perform in safer, less important jobs. This was the birth of the notion that women were the weaker sex which was only strengthened through visual evidence, influential religions, and the growth of stereotypes. Women were seen unfit to be in authoritative positions, especially after men gained control of all of these high power positions. Because men dominated the high powered and influential positions in society, patriarchies became standardized in newly formed civilizations and societies. The climate changes, such as desertification and extreme flooding, triggered the development of agriculture which contributed to the end of matriarchs and egalitarian societies because of the gender role that was established – women needed to reproduce while men carried out the producing and controlling positions in society. Societies ranging from 3000-600 B.C.E. were driven by many factors: power, agriculture, land and economic status. Power, as a driving factor for societies was generally led by men, and societies became mostly patriarchal. In prehistoric times, such as the Stone Age, women held power in society because they were not reproducing to the degree they were after this time

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