Vick 1800- 235- 9162 - 72222 Once upon a time, the many cultures of this world were all part of the gynocratic age. Paternity had not yet been discovered, and it was thought ... that women bore fruit like trees—when they were ripe. Childbirth was mysterious. It was vital. And it was envied. Women were worshipped because of it, were considered superior because of it.... Men were on the periphery—an interchangeable body of workers for, and worshippers of, the female center, the principle of life.The discovery of paternity, of sexual cause and childbirth effect, was as cataclysmic for society as, say, the discovery of fire or the shattering of the atom. Gradually, the idea of male ownership of children took hold....Gynocracy also suffered from the periodic invasions of nomadic tribes.... The conflict between the hunters and the growers was really the conflict between male-dominated and female-dominated cultures.... women gradually lost their freedom, mystery, and superior position. For five thousand years or more, the gynocratic age had flowered in peace and productivity. Slowly, in varying stages and in different parts of the world, the social order was painfully reversed. Women became the underclass, marked by their visible differences.WOMEN'S HEALTH Dale Gibler Historical Perspectives Earliest Cultures omatriarchal, matrilineal, partnerships omen & women equal role opower to women: fertility emblems, "spinners of destiny, associated with justice, wisdom and intelligence, and the arts as well as reproduction" Lewis & Bernstein, 1996 3000 years ago - elimination of Minoan culture - society became patriarchal, patrilinear, warrior cultures Later - less nomadic; acquired property, property rights & inheritance, women & children became property Women were subjugated, relegated to reproductive roles Women were removed from sources of governance & power Many women enslaved Female sacrifice became commonplace New patriarchal relig...
