Can a Patriarchy Practice Equality of the Sexes

[TNBu]

But should authority be the determinant factor in equality? Is it not possible to be equal to another while being different?

It is not possible to be "equal and different" with regard to patriarchy because by definition patriarchy is essentially an unequal distribution of power. If it's anything else, it's not patriarchal, because that's all that patriarchy means.

The only way you can run a separate but equal argument is if there is no difference in authority which means it can't be patriarchy.

Like, say my husband and I run bakery together: I bake all the pies and he bakes all the cakes. Both are essential and equally important to the success of our business. He doesn't mess with my pies, and I don't mess with his cakes. We run a smooth operation. An egalitarian arrangement like this would be "different but equal" but there's no way it could be described as patriarchal unless we introduce an unequal power relationship, which means it's no longer "different but equal".

Essentially, yes. What is it about giving authority to only one part of a group that bothers us, if that authority is exercised fairly and our needs are met?

Well, for one: Without just dogmatically asserting its importance, is authority in this context even necessary? What needs are being met by patriarchy that can't be met otherwise? Why can't a husband and wife negotiate the governance of their home as equals? I have a hard time imagining a scenario where mature adults could not make a decision jointly without an appeal to the authority of one or the other. What purpose does patriarchy serve that could not be better met with an egalitarian approach?

[Jason]

It is not possible to be "equal and different" with regard to patriarchy because by definition patriarchy is essentially an unequal distribution of power. If it's anything else, it's not patriarchal, because that's all that patriarchy means.

But why does an unequal distribution of power have to mean a group is unequal? What if other factors act to balance the unequal distribution of power?

To my mind, the reason we find unequal power distributions something to be avoided is because people tend to abuse such structures. If no abuse exists, however, then there isn't any problem.

Well, for one: Without just dogmatically asserting its importance, is authority in this context even necessary? What needs are being met by patriarchy that can't be met otherwise? Why can't a husband and wife negotiate the governance of their home as equals? I have a hard time imagining a scenario where mature adults could not make a decision jointly without an appeal to the authority of one or the other. What purpose does patriarchy serve that could not be better met with an egalitarian approach?

When there are only two votes one must take precedence over the other when the two parties disagree, or no decision will be made.

[erichard]

But why does an unequal distribution of power have to mean a group is unequal? What if other factors act to balance the unequal distribution of power?

To my mind, the reason we find unequal power distributions something to be avoided is because people tend to abuse such structures. If no abuse exists, however, then there isn't any problem.

When there are only two votes one must take precedence over the other when the two parties disagree, or no decision will be made.

Hi Jason and TNBu,

You are having an interesting discussion. I have not read this thread, just the last page, but as a believer in the importance of Patriarchy and in the obvious reality that both the man and the woman are essential for a family to exist I have a few points to make:

In the Scriptures the term Marriage is unmistakably a Patriarchy. The man is the head of the woman. Thus, marriage is a political organization, and a level of government.

If a person grows up in a family where the mother always gets her way, that person grew up with parents that were NOT "married". Marriage always means patriarchy by its original usage.

I am not suggesting the Muslim "women are chattel" type of Patriarchy. It must be a patriarchy where the woman is equal with the man BUT she accepts the government of her husband as long as he does not screw up too much. She cannot be abused, and she can leave if he she become fully alienated from his dominion.

Men accept the government of Washington DC on a similar basis. Which means they can leave that government when it gets abusive. (It is way beyond abusive today.)

The 1842 "Peace Maker" pamphlet written by Udney Hey Jacobs is very helpful in expounding Bible principles of patriarchy.

For a more secular person, a valuable writing on Patriarchy is the Garbage Generation by Daniel Amneus.

Richard