First Civilizations: Gender Roles

In my previous blogs, I have discussed inequality of the sexes and my confusion on when the separation actually began. When reading about the first civilizations these questions were answered. Though the rise of agriculture was seen as a godsend to many people of the time, the practice of it did create divisions between men and women. Particularly, the use of "animal-drawn plows and the keeping and milking of large herds of animals" (73).  This new form of agriculture became much harder and heavier for women to carry out. Which meant they were left at home, while men would tend to this work. This was just the start of the divide. Also due to agriculture, the population was growing faster then ever. Which resulted in women staying home and caring for their children, instead of getting a job. These examples did create a gap between the sexes, but rules and regulations enforced by society were the real culprits. In Mesopotamia, "various written laws codified and sought to enforce a patriarchal family life that offered women a measure of paternalistic protection while insisting on their submission to the unquestioned authority of men" (74). These laws gave the upper hand to men. A husband could have sexual relations with his servants, but the wife's punishment for cheating would be death. A woman who was sexually assaulted by her husband, could also have sever consequences for his crime. Wealthier women could own businesses, but it was all under the watchful eyes of their husbands. Patriarchy was at its finest and I feel that this was the beginning of the problems women have to deal with everyday. Looking back on the small tribes and bands, their lifestyle was egalitarian. Men and women were created equal and they led easy lives. Unfortunately, with new promises for a better future, came unequal playing ground for many women.