Introduction
Throughout history, women have undergone different experiences. In some past societies, women have become influential political leaders, warriors, and priestesses, as shown in ancient China ( Von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow, 2012) . However, in most situations, women were given strict expectations, and they were portrayed as inferior to men. Analyzing how a community or society treats it women is essential. Furthermore, investigating the position of women through different times in history plays a significant role in explaining how the society has developed and changed. Most researchers believe that history develops in a straight line and that women in the current Western nations enjoy freedoms than any other time in history. Nevertheless, studies reveal that women have both gained and lost power in different eras. Some societies valued equality while others did not. The essay will highlight the status of women in China and Athens and then evaluate the effect of patriarchy on the two societies.
Women in Ancient China
Von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow (2012) state that w omen in ancient China did not experience the status, either political or social, that was given to men ( 204) . Women were often socially segregated, physically ill-treated and forced to compete for valuable attention from their husbands with other concubines. Being a woman was not an enviable status in ancient China. However, regardless of the harsh experiences of being born in a male-dominated society and being burdened by religious and philosophical norms that were developed by men to favor men, some women succeeded in breaking away from such barriers. Regardless of the strict barriers, Von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow (2012) explain that practical reality ensured that some women circumvented the challenges and lived extraordinary lives producing scholarship, and literature, including ruling the Chinese empire such as Empress Wu ( 279) .
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Women were not allowed to earn money, and they were given ‘lower' importance because they would leave their families and become members of their husband's family. On the contrary, male children were prepared to contribute financially to their families and perform important religious ceremonies such as ancestor worship. Von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow (2012) mention that m ale children were also given a higher status in the Chinese society because they would carry the family name to the next generation (204).
Notably, women from the wealthy families and those from lower societies were treated differently. Women from the upper class experienced stricter control and had limited freedom. However, they were given better education than women from lower societies. On the other hand, most women from the lower class focused on home duties. Additionally, the treatment of women varied according to their society. For instance, Von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow (2012) mention that women in the Zhou society were well capable because they were well educated (90). The web of class, family, village, and clan associations showed that they had considerable respect for women. However, regardless of their skills and knowledge, Von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow (2012) state that they were not allowed to involve themselves in state affairs and that their skills should be best implemented at home (90). However, the development of Confucianism marked a significant growth in patriarchy that forced women to have secondary roles.
As mentioned earlier, women experienced different treatment according to the prevailing culture and state influence. For instance, Von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow (2012) insist that some Neolithic villages were matriarchal (95). Also, the early Confucian works were very flexible regarding the role of women in the Chinese society. However, the Han period saw the development of a highly structured and patriarchal society that did value women. Furthermore, Von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow (2012) explain that there was a lot of emphasis on the importance of sons because they played a critical role in the military and they carried the ancestral line (204). Furthermore, Von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow (2012) state that there was a lot of female infanticide during the period of state-sponsored patriarchy (286 ) . Moreover, during periods of severe economic stress, women and young girls experienced mistreatment. Additionally, Von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow (2012) add that female children could be forced to marry wealthy families or were forced into prostitution (204). It is essential to note that women were forced to experience the ancient tradition of foot binding. Von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow (2012) mention that t he society could crush women's feet in binding with the belief that smaller feet would make her more attractive to her husband (286).
Women in Athens
Von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow (2012) argue that a lthough democracy in Athens has been cited by many scholars as a symbol of egalitarian rule, the status and role of women in Athens showed a different opinion and glaring contradiction (167). Egalitarianism refers to a school of thought or opinion that insists that all people are equal. Furthermore, its doctrines demand that all humans should be treated equally or get the same kind of treatment as other people. Additionally, the principle insists that people should have similar civil, political, social, and economic rights. However, there is adequate evidence that showed gender inequality in Athens. Athenian women were neither allowed to own property or to vote ( Von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow, 2012, 168) . Their marriages were mainly arranged for monetary gain and women were barred from suing for a divorce. Furthermore, married women were under continuous supervision and control of their guardians, either close male relatives or their husband. Also, women were supposed to bring dowry that was immediately transferred to their husband’s ownership and control.
Athenian women had two main roles: bearing and raising children and taking care of their husband's household. Additionally, they were required to educate their children according to the values of the polis. It is essential to note Von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow (2012) mention that the Athenian society believed that women were more sexually passionate and emotional than men and that such traits posed a great threat to Athens' stability ( 168) . Due to such misguided beliefs, women were often confined to their households. Also, women often visited the civic center and market place and frequently attended festivals and events. Athenian women participated in weddings, funerals, and in religious events where some were priestesses. Educated Athenian women accompanied men to dinner parties and plays. Prostitutes and slave women were placed at the bottom of the Athenian social ladder.
Notably, the Athenian people developed a patriarchal society that relegated their women to second class citizenship. In such societies, men created and enforced cultural norms that devalued women and favored men. Their negative view of women extends to their literature. For instance, Von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow (2012) states that in Euripides’ Medea , the main character wished that there could be alternative ways of bearing children without female sex and that if women did not exist, the world would get rid of all its problems and miseries ( 168) . Similar views are held by Aristotle in Politics where he records that men are by nature superior to their female counterparts and that one must rule while the other must be ruled as a necessity and principle of mankind ( Von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow, 2012, 168) . Similar to ancient China, women in Athens were perceived to be inferior to men, and their societies created rules and norms that devalued women and favored men.
Analysis
According to Von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow (2012), most early societies were either egalitarian or matriarchal (95). The rise of urban societies in ancient societies and patriarchy made women occupy a lesser role in comparison to men. Additionally, the rise of urban societies created a military, political structure, and a class structure that caused women to experience discrimination. Additionally, societies developed institutionalized patriarchy and slavery. Women could be sold during harsh economic times as slaves or concubines ( Von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow, 2012, 204) . In most cases, women were perceived as household goods and only valued for their reproductive capacity. The overall disparity in power, statue, and wealth worsened women’s position in the society. Due to the rise of patriarchy in the society, women have suffered under men’s negativity and control for many centuries. Evidence shows that there has been significant rises and falls of women’s freedom and rights in the society. Additionally, there was a significant difference in how different societies treated their women in different periods in history.
Due to the social change from agricultural societies to urban societies, power and wealth were controlled within families. It is essential to note that the shift caused a significant decline in women's role because women were forced into marriage because of wealth and preservation of family social class. Moreover, their character and morals were shaped by their families. In such societies, men took a key role in leadership, military, and other economic activities while women were required to stay at home and take care of all household duties ( Von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow, 2012, 89) . It was believed that men were stronger and were best suited to work, lead, and join the military but women were ‘weaker’ and that their abilities were best suited to household duties. Even educated women were only allowed to showcase their skills at home, including educating their children.
As mentioned earlier, new arrangements were developed to accommodate the religious, political, military, and economic changes caused by urban life. All the spheres of changes were male-dominated. As wars between different societies became common, men developed and managed military issues, and fighting officers were mainly restricted to men. Additionally, men emerged as rulers of urban societies, and they had high ranks as administrators. Furthermore, they managed trading and commercial matters and defined the ranks of priests, scribes, and other roles. All these factors played a crucial role in undermining women's role in the society. Another issue that was key in undervaluing women was the development of property and wealth rights that caused the rise to the notion that private property could only be inherited by children of male descent. Additionally, the establishment and maintenance of legitimacy required legitimacy of the male heirs, and they restricted women's sexual activities ( Von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow, 2012) . Ultimately, women’s roles were restricted to household functions as discussed in ancient China and Athens.
Conclusion
The essay has highlighted the status of women in China and Athens and then evaluated the development of patriarchy on the two societies. According to evidence highlighted above, women in ancient China and Athens were subordinate to their male counterparts. It is also evident that inequality was not always part of the society. As agricultural societies developed into urban societies, there was a need for military, political, social, and religious changes. Men took over such roles and made rules that favored men and devalued women. Ultimately, women's roles were confined to household duties, and their sexual activities were controlled to ensure the legitimacy of their male heirs. Nevertheless, women have been able to overcome some of the barriers and develop into good leaders as shown by Empress Wu of China. The status of women has risen and fallen over different periods. It is essential to ensure that the status of women in the modern society does not decline due to patriarchy.
References
Von Sivers, P., Desnoyers, C., & Stow, G. B. (2012). Patterns of World History . Oxford University Press, USA.
