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Quote by Marilyn French

“Once the mechanisms of patrilineality, patrilocality, and exogamy were in place, it was difficult for women to escape. In time, men in some groups raised vying for status to an organising principle, competing to show their importance within the group and generating "Big man" societies. These societies fostered the rise of the state and its sociopolitical form - patriarchy.”

Book:From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women in the World, Vol. 1

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From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women in the World, Vol. 1

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Author

Marilyn French

Marilyn French, born on November 21, 1929 and died on May 2, 2009, was a prominent American author known for her feminist perspective in her works. Her writings focused on the status of women in society, family, and sexuality, with notable works including 'The Feminine Mystique'. more

“The term " Patriarchy" denotes institutionalised male dominance, guaranteed by a set of interlocking structures that perpetuate the power and authority of an elite class of men over all other humans and grant all men power and authority over women of their class. Power is might - physical, psychological, or economic. Animals may dominate other animals by virtue of birth or charisma. But authority - a moral or spiritual right (tactically backed by force) to judge others and coerce behaviour - does not exist among animals. Authority is insidious because we tend to internalise it: we feel guilt at performing acts called wrong by authorities, even if we ourselves do not believe them wrong.”

Religion Feminism Sexism Misogyny Women S Rights Women S Liberation Radical Feminism Women S History

Book:From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women in the World, Vol. 1

Source: From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women in the World, Vol. 1

“Patriarchies are societies within institutions - hierarchical bodies of government, religion, law, education, commerce, and culture - designed to transcend individual lives, to endure over ages, and to maintain and transmit power from man to man, a practice called "Passing the mantle". All institutions have customs or laws that give men prerogatives or advantages and that exclude or limit the participation of women and certain men. Patriarchies in different states disempower different groups of men, but they all disempower women.”

Religion Feminism Sexism Misogyny Women S Rights Women S Liberation Radical Feminism Women S History

Book:From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women in the World, Vol. 1

Source: From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women in the World, Vol. 1

“Matriarchy, if it existed, would be identical to patriarchy, with females dominant. Women have wielded great power in the world and have had personal authority over men in their families or communities. But no society has institutionalised female-dominance, a sociopolitical structure giving women authority over men and the right to use force against them. So entrenched is patriarchal thinking, however, that people commonly use the term "Matriarchy" to describe women living free of male authority.”

Religion Feminism Sexism Misogyny Women S Rights Women S Liberation Radical Feminism Women S History

Book:From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women in the World, Vol. 1

Source: From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women in the World, Vol. 1