In what ways are the state and the law patriarchical institutions - Essay Example

regarded an embodiment of strength and knowledge, they were inclined to be in charge of the social structure to which, in olden times, left women practically incompetent over men. Holy scriptures that date back two thousand years ago illustrate how women were thought to be of no essence. 1 Timothy 2:16 “I permit no woman to teach or have authority over men. She is to keep silent.” The supremacy of a Patriarchic society extends far beyond the realms of: sexuality, family units, employment and employment compensations, male-on-female hostilities, edifying associations, and the state.

(eSSORTMENT, 2002) When society began to depict the roles of men as heads of nations and kingdoms, pioneers of expeditions and discoveries, brave heroes of war, engineers of technology and infrastructure, great thinkers and philosophers, etc., it unconsciously instilled prejudicial thoughts -- that there exists an inferior gender, the female gender. (Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, 2008) A State is a defined group of people, living within defined territorial boundaries and more or less subject to an autonomous legal system exercising jurisdiction through properly constituted courts; (Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, 2008) We have mentioned how men were able to superintend the social structure several thousand years ago given the perception of his intelligence to lead, ability to provide for the family, and biological physique that exuded strength and courage.

Historically, men were able to illustrate the relationships of superiority and inferiority in society such as master-slave, strong-weak, leader-follower, parent-child, masculine-feminine, patriarch-matriarch, etc. As the dominant figures or spheres in society, men were able to select principal or exceptional people to constitute authority or governance and thus, forming the state. With the existence of the state, laws of society were established which were inclined to be patriarchal in nature.

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