Page 206 - DSOC202_SOCIAL_STRATIFICATION_ENGLISH

Unit 9: Gender and Stratification

• Engels argues that the oppression of woman is historically related to the development of Notes
class society. He says that in primitive societies all work, whether by men or women had the
same social value. Whatever wealth they had, was possessed and shared by the whole
community. Until the lower stage of barbarism, fixed wealth consisted of house, clothing,
crude ornaments and implements for procuring and preparing food. Breeding goats and
sheep yielded rich nutriment in meat and milk. With the increase in the number of cattle
pastoral people acquired more and more wealth.
• ‘Woman is a subordinate being’ had not been only an opinion or a belief but a knowledge-
claim backed by scientific knowledge at every stage of human civilization. As Feyerabend
points out ‘Even bold and revolutionary thinkers bow to the judgment of science.
• The conception that man is supernatural set apart from all other animate finds no support in
the study of comparative anatomy. On the anatomical grounds it is obligatory to class man,
apes and their allies together in a single order of primates. They have the same ancestry. The
earliest condition of human life is called as the hunting stage. It was not just a quest for food
but a war for security and mastery. The human beings were not solely hunters but they also
gathered the fruits and roots of the trees, caught fish from the lakes.
• The status of woman in mother-family was strong and independent. However, there was no
concept of matriarchy or patriarchy in the modern sense of the term.
• The nomadic life was not a simple life but a very hard life like the military life. The tribe was
always organized like an army. The march of the caravan and the operations of loading and
unloading the animals were effected with order and rapidity. It created a war-like spirit, a
sense of discipline and the supreme authority of the tribal chief.

9.5 Key–Words

1. Matriarchy : It is a society in which females especially mothers, have the central roles of
political leadership.
2. Patriarchy : It is a social system in which the male acts as the primary authority figure
central to social organisation.

9.6 Review Questions

1. Briefly describe gender and stratification.
2. Discuss gender as a basis of stratification.
3. What do you mean by patriarchy? Discuss the subordination of women.
4. Explain the three stages of evolution of culture.
Answers: Self–Assessment

1. 1840s and 1850s 2. 1848 3. 1920
4. Betty Friedan 5. Family

9.7 Further Readings

1. Sharma, K.L., 2010 : Perspectives on Social Stratification, Rawat Publication.
2. Sharma, K.L., 2010 : Social Stratification & Mobility, Rawat Publication.
3. Hasnain, Nadeem, 2011 : Indian Society and Culture Continuity and Change,
Jawahar Publishers and Distributors.

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