Patriarchy and Gender Roles in Genesis
South University
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Patriarchy and Gender Roles in Genesis
Patriarchy is defined as a form of social organization in which males dominate females, while matriarchy is a female dominated society. (Macionis, 2008). While matriarchy does exist, it is patriarchy that is prevalent in the world. Patriarchy and male domination can be traced back as early as Genesis and Adam and Eve.
Patriarchal dominance can be traced back mankind's creation. Genesis one says, "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:27, New International Version). If one were to believe Genesis one's account of creation, it would show that, when God created man and woman he intended them to be equal.
Patriarchy church Bukarest side
English: Handwritten draft of chapter II of The Wo...
Patriarchy Church Bukarest FrontHowever, in Genesis two it is suggested that equality was not God's intention because God created man and woman from different sources, plus because of Eve eating from the tree of knowledge and feeding some of the fruit to Adam, God punished Eve, telling her, "Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you," collectively, it all insinuates that patriarchy, gender roles and inequality between men and women did not evolve over time, but existed from the beginning of mankind's creation (Gen 3:16).
In Genesis one there is implied equality amongst men and women. Along with man and woman being created in God's image, Genesis 1:28 states, "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.' Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that...