Children of the goddess: a critical examination of feminist writings on the matriarchy

Includes bibliographical references (pages 91-94)The primary concern of this thesis is to indicate the way in which certain contemporary feminists have made use of the idea of a matriarchal stage of cultural evolution to redefine the nature, values, symbols and history of womankind. To provide a historical perspective, Bachofen and the Jungians are discussed as non-feminist proponents of a matriarchal stage of history. Bachofen was the 19th century originator of the concept of a universal stage of culture in which women were dominant. The Jungians contend that there is a relationship between matriarchal myths and symbols and the psychic events which determine the behavior of women.\ud Selected Greek myths, thought to be indicative of a gynocratic epoch are discussed. Consideration of these myths and the interpretation given them offers a basis for understanding the growth of the feminine stereotype. Feminists have used these myths as a source of symbols and values with which to attach and reinterpret this stereotype. An example of the meaning which the matriarchy holds for feminists is provided by Forfreedom's (1972:30) statement that the "characteristics that all matriarchies have shared, and which makes them important to women today, is that women in a matriarchy had self-respect, self-determination in all ways, and all women at all levels were assured that the society truly was governed in their direct interests." Steinem (1973:2-3) summarizes those values which are thought to have been characteristic of the matriarchal periods of history and which feminists "are now trying to introduce into the mainstream; strength and self-reliance for women; peacefulness and esteem for human life; a diminishment both of 'masculine' aggression and of the belief that violence is the only way of solving conflicts." Feminists also include such qualities as nurturance, empathy, emotionality and intuitiveness in their description of values attributed to woman which are of value to society. \ud Thus, while the matriarchy has been used by patriarchal authors to justify patriarchal institutions, it is now being used by feminist writers to justify a new and more equalitarian society