Engels wrote that primitive societies were primarily matriarchal due to the undeveloped state of the means of production, positing patriarchy not as something eternal, immutable and part of human nature but something that is dynamic and subject to change. Does his view that matriarchal societies were the most dominant form in primitive societies have historical accuracy?
>>18480034Not from what we know. Genuine matriarchy was basically unheard of in the records outside of legends like amazons or something. Known primitive tribes likewise aren't known for matriarchal structures. Engel's argument comes from a dude who lived among the Iroquois for a while and likely misrepresented some of the things he witnessed there. From this single relation and liberal application of marxist philosophy Engels derived the primitive matriarchy.
>>18480062Could there be an argument made that women generally held more status or were treated in a more egalitarian manner compared to contemporary societies?
>>18480034> Does his view that matriarchal societies were the most dominant form in primitive societies have historical accuracy?Check it out.>> Some tell a story how the Amazonian women dislocate the joints of their male children while mere infants, some at the knee, and others at the hip-joint, that they may be maimed, and that the male sex may not conspire against the female, and that they use them as artisans to perform any sedentary work, such as that of a shoemaker or brazier.
>>18480143why is that actually so based, my respect for the amazonians just increased like a thousandfold
>>18480142We can't say any definite thing. Comparative anthropology provides no conclusive evidence. While no matriarchy was ever observed as you can imagine you'll see societies that are more and less egalitarian and you can't really deduct anything from it.Likewise we can go back to historical sources and again they generally point towards patriarchy but to a different degree. Greece will be different than Rome and these both will be different to customary laws of the Germanics.I'll offer you an explanation for why - what we're observing is that there's no general rule other than that the men typically end up having an upper hand in social struggle of traditional societies. How the structure will actually play out is a matter of serendipity and other factors(pastoralists will live differently than settled people.).
