What would a matriarchy be like?

1. 79

   lovetherainposted 5 years ago

   Matriarchy
   
   "a system of society or government ruled by a woman or women."
   
   Wikipedia claims "Most anthropologists hold that there are no known anthropological societies that are unambiguously matriarchal"
   
   Have there been real matriarchies that you know about?
   
   Would a matriarchy be better than a patriarchy or one run by a mixture of men and women?
   
   Would it be any different?

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      threekeysposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I personally prefer a world ruled unitedly by  males and females where there is a elevated balance of when to initiate and when to negotiate/leave be.
      I have see the cult of masculinity in both males and females and to me it tends to draw out the worst within human nature.
      When change is happening extreme groups of that idealogy forms, then through experiencing what works or doesnt work, adjustments are  made, and these groups either fold or become refined until a middle of the road group forms from that chaotic idea that was initially put forward. Then we have a change take place that is agreeable to most people.
      
      I am led to believe the Jewish culture is a matriachial society.

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2. 76

   Kathryn L Hillposted 5 years ago

   If women ran the world, there would be few right angles. Houses would be tents of flowing colorful materials. Streets would meander with curves, and probably made of red bricks, with wild flowers and sage lining the pathways. I'm sure we would still be riding horses. So no, I don't think a matriarchal society would be so great. Men rule ... They are great … when they are. Especially when tempered by the women they love.
   
   Most women are content in a subordinate position.  As long as they have respect and freedom. They influence men more than they know in this position.
   
   In America, women can become what ever they so desire, but they need the help of men to get there.
   Women do not help women much. I don't think they network as well as men do.

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   1. 73

      Aime Fposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      

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         gmwilliamsposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Yeah, I know...…………….this is UNREAL.    WHAT the...…………….. Women being happy in subordinate positions?  W-hat, w-hat, w-hat...……..the..……………….. To paraphrase the great Oprah some ideas just have to be………..PHASED OUT.   There are 19th century people living in a 21st century world!  SAD but...…..TRUE.   Oh really, WTF...…..
         
         

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         1. 76

            Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            Women who are married like to be in subordinate position. It can't be equal. You can't have harmony with two equals. Like two rams butting heads all the time over everything.
            
            A Women is, by nature, not as powerful as a man. For instance, if the fastest female swimmer raced against the fastest male swimmer, the male swimmer would win.
            
            If a woman does not want to be in a subordinate position, she better marry someone who will let her have the dominant role ... or not marry at all.
             
            A woman is more in touch with love and a man is more in touch with logic.
            But, in heaven perhaps we are neutral.

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3. 73

   Aime Fposted 5 years ago

   I just want to live in a world where the people “in charge” are balanced and respectful both of what unites us and what makes us different. 
   
   I think that men and women both have plenty to offer, each individual is capable of different things whether they’re male or female or both or neither. Ideally you have a mixture of all kinds of qualities, personalities, capabilities, etc. rather than one type of person (based on gender or wealth or whatever else) with complete control.

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      PrettyPantherposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with this. Organizations with diverse boards fare better than those with homogeneous ones.

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         threekeysposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Yes Aime explained it clearly. Thanks Aime.

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         gmwilliamsposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         +1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

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4. 40

   radhapriestessposted 5 years ago

   A matriarchy is more than woman being in charge. It's a system which is collaborative in nature. It is based on the concept of a the circle where each member is equal to the other person. In a matriarchy each person gives their opinion and facts in solving the problem. Leadership often changes depending upon the issue at hand. Kerala in India was an ancient matriarchy. Women held the property and the lineage, yes, but they had a collaborative system where each member was consulted the extended family household. There was no homeless in this society. The elders were taken care of and the elders helped in raising the children. If a man did anything to abuse a woman, a man would show him the door of the household. Men in this society did not tolerate bad behavior by other men towards women. You could have a society where women were in charge but they were patriarchal in their style of leadership where they are the ones who decide and they do not consult people. That is not a true matriarchy. You could also have a society with male leadership which has a collaborative style and this would be matriarchal.

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      threekeysposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      How lovely is that story.
      Yes I too  am in favour of collaborative leadership. I dont know why how the "command and control" leadership style has taken such pervasive roots in the working culture. I think though this command and control style of leadership is in the middle to blue collar working areas of life. I think that the foundation to the civil servant style of leadership is command and control even though its facade presents as collaborative and negotiatory. What do you think?

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5. 0

   ahorsebackposted 4 years ago

   OMG , I can't take this conversation , I'm going to go out now and get a facial . Stop at the mall ,   buy a big chocolate cake ,  go home bury my face in a great romance novel and maybe run a bubble bath !   Truffle or Bon bon anyone ?

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      gmwilliamsposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Ahorseback, yes have THAT facial.   Also have a LONG, LANGUOROUS bath with jasmin.   After that, order some breakfast- eggs benedict with filet mignon(medium rare) topped with hollaindaise sauce.   Then have a lovely rest.   Listen to some cds e.g. lectures from the late Drs. Wayne Dyer & Leo Buscaglia on the meaning of life.   
      
      Then take another rest.   Listen to some jazz music, preferably swing.  There is a great documentary on jazz.  If you have Amazon Prime- you can watch the program for free.  There are SO MANY things you can do.  Explore your SOFT side- DON'T BE AFRAID...…………..Remember, I AM YOUR……………...FRIEND...………...
      
      
      
      
      TAKE...………….CARE

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   2. 73

      Aime Fposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Gee, I don’t fit the “woman” stereotype very well as I’ve never had a facial (or been to a spa period), never read a romance novel, and hate bubble baths. I am into the chocolate cake, though.

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      1. 83

         gmwilliamsposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Ahorseback was just using sardonic humor.  He seems so fearful of things that are different from his usual purview.  It is sad to be mired in old ways & to be apprehensive of change...…….He needs a SAFE SPACE now...………..

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6. 40

   radhapriestessposted 4 years ago

   A true matriarchy is not just women being in charge. That is where people get the concept wrong. A matriarchal society is a collaborative society. Women have a different style of decision making. They collaborate with others to make the best decision. You do have female lineage and property ownership, yes. The reason this is important is that it reduces domestic violence. When women own the property, men tend to behave themselves in a more civil manner. In ancient Kerala, an Indian matriarchy, men actually enforced this code against domestic violence. If a man was violent he was shown the door of the tarwad (collective family house). Women outlawed slavery in India first in Kerala. Women also the the biggest supporters of ending it elsewhere. In ancient Kerala the elders were taken care of and so were the youth. There was no homeless people there. Women did care more about the overall well being of society. Whenever there is social change, women are the energy behind it. Every major social movement had great female leaders. Women are generally against war, so we probably would have less war, too.

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7. 76

   Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years ago

   In a matriarchy, the men revere the women, help them and see that things go smoothly. As long as the women take appropriate actions, all is well. I have a feeling that in matriarchal societies, which have occurred in history, especially in India, that the women somehow loose their position, and the men have to take over again.
   
   Actually in a household, if the wife is given the responsibility of managing the finances, the home is more harmonious, because she is careful about the spending since she sees clearly the amount she is working with.
   
   However, I think women/wives in America do well by maintaining their own bank accounts and managing their money apart from their husbands'. And husbands should manage their money separately from their wives'.
   
   Wondering about that, though.
   What is the ideal? What works in most situations? What is the most practical?
   Joint accounts or not. Husband-managed? Wife-managed?

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8. 78

   Rodric29posted 4 years ago

   That is an interesting point you make Kathryn. I never thought about it that way. I wanted to argue with you about it, but I cannot. In my marriage, I thought my wife and I were equal. We are not. We are of equal importance, but our roles are complementary. there are things I do that she cannot and things I do can't do but she can.

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      Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Yes. Complimentary.

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