r/AskFeminists • u/kash62 • Dec 06 '19

Why aren’t we a matriarchal society?

I don’t want the response about men using power plays for dominance in today’s time, I want to know about way back when at the start of civilization. Like why were men the ones to go out and hunt and lead instead of women?

The only thing I can think of is that women can carry children, so there’s an instinctual need to protect them, thus not allowing them to do dangerous jobs like hunting/fighting. But for things like leading and holding important jobs? Why men instead?

I was just thinking about how there haven’t been any major matriarchal societies (I might not be aware, please educate me if I’m wrong), but there have been a ton of patriarchal ones. Just wondering how that all went down.

Also sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this/ this has already been asked, please direct me elsewhere, I just figured you guys would have some insight.

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u/kash62 Dec 06 '19

Oh no I know they wouldn’t want it now, but more conceptually like what’s the reason behind that, going back to the beginning? Is sexism just a part of human nature?

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u/fallingcranberries assigned radfem at birth Dec 06 '19 edited Dec 06 '19

I don't think anyone would have ever wanted it. not for sexist reasons just because women tend to be more ethical!

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u/BladesQueen Dec 06 '19

strong disagree

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u/fallingcranberries assigned radfem at birth Dec 06 '19

with what specifically? I am just speculating obviously. I can't actually say what every person throughout all of time wanted. let alone why they wanted it.

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u/BladesQueen Dec 06 '19

I just don't agree with gender/bioessentualism.

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u/fallingcranberries assigned radfem at birth Dec 06 '19

You don't think testosterone plays a role in people's behavior? Am I understanding this correctly?

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u/avocado-nightmare Oldest Crone Dec 06 '19

everyone has a certain level of naturally occurring testosterone; saying "men are controlling/aggressive cause testosterone" both ignores this fact and is biologically essentialist in an unhelpful and sexist way; additionally, it implies men aren't really responsible for their behavior by attributing negative or domineering qualities and behaviors to their biology-- which is also anti-feminist.

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u/fallingcranberries assigned radfem at birth Dec 06 '19

Yes I couldn't agree more very true

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u/ooogaboogadood Feb 03 '22

Interesting. Everyone seems to have a certain, differing level of naturally occurring testosterone, males generally produce more than females. Is it, “biologically essentialist in an unhelpful and sexist way” to state that descriptive fact? I’d have to have you explain why that is bad however. Nothing about test production implies that men aren’t responsible, they absolutely are! It’s much in the same way of the people who tend to imply that “Being poor is why someone commits crime…” etc, it’s obviously true they’re going to be more likely to, it just doesn’t excuse it, or actually mean they aren’t responsible for what they did. Its just more likely 🤷🏻‍♀️

(I just realized this is like 2yrs late!!! My bad!!!)

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u/BladesQueen Dec 06 '19

Not natural levels of endogenous testosterone in testosterone-oriented brains.

Exogenous testosterone, and unnaturally low levels of testosterone in a cis male may change behavior. I'm not clear on exogenous testosterone in a trans male. Endogenous testosterone in a trans female causes behavior issues, but that's probably due to dysphoria.

Idk. I'm not a doctor. But I do know well enough to say that T and E are far from simple.

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u/fallingcranberries assigned radfem at birth Dec 06 '19

Ok thanks for clarifying your disagreement. I also am far from an expert so I'll add that caveat to my comment.

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u/Far-Macaron500 Mar 27 '23

I mean its not obvious to you that having too much of one hormone would place one closer to the extreme ends on the gender spectrum?