Is the reason that most religions and traditional societies put women in a subservient position, that women?

Question

would not be willing to have enough children to maintain the population if they were free to make a choice? Before modern medicine reduced infant and maternal motality the probability of a women's cause of death being due to childbirth was close to 20% .

I am not saying women do not want children, but that with half the babies not living to adulthood, fertile women needed on average to have 4 or 5 to maintian the population. In today's world where women have a choice they average less than 2 even with out the threat of death.

Answer 1

Before a patriarchal society was so common there were many ancient societies where women were equals to men. They owned property, ran businesses etc. When Christianity first began the church was trying to lessen the effect of goddess cultures and did it by giving women subservient roles. Women who tried to run their own lives were looked down on and over time it became the norm for men to be in charge. It was most definitely not always that way. Pushing mistranslations like the foolishness of having lots of babies when the meaning was rather to make converts, also had it's effect. Most Christians still cling to this view which is utter nonsense especially now, 2000 tears later. There is obviously no need to make more babies these days and all the Christians having giant families is sickening and ridiculous. You should only have as many children as you can afford to raise. For most people that's about 2 not 17!

And I have to disagree with Maria16. While I agree it's not men's fault she is wrong to say women didn't DO much. Utter nonsense! Women have written music for centuries (ever heard of Clara Schuman (painist and composer), Hildegard von Bingen (nun and composer)and many, many others). It was sort of a tradition to lessen the work of women. Clara Schuman's husband got plenty of acclaim as did her lover Brahms. How about Felix Mendelsson's sister (pianist and composer)? No one knows her work but apparently she may have been equally talented or maybe even more. Women have invented things, discovered things, written things, painted, sculpted and much much more. Don't forget Marie Curie (scientist). It's only that they haven't been allowed the same acclaim in spite of their talent or skill because men were given more attention. Most of these women also had families as well! So no it's NOT that women were/are more ignorant or were busy having babies. Most, like women today did both and did it quite well!

Answer 2

It may not be your 'thing', Meg, but there are a great many women who really WANT to have children and nurture them, regardless of the risks. The number of times I have seen the look on the face of a young woman without children - yes and even married women - turn to gooey-eyed slush when you put a very young infant into their arms is amazing. Watch it some time and you'll see what I mean.
The real reason women are held to be subservient is that religious leaders have never been able to answer the REAL question a woman ask when they try to explain the religion. The question?

Answer 3

i've been thinking of that for quite some time now,and i reached to the painful conclusion that it is not men's fault.
women did not invent anything original,not even in the areas where they were really involved,like music or art.
u can't blame the men for the ignorance of women.
nobody stopped them to read and discover things.
most of the rich ones knew how to read so they have no excuse.
if they would have really wanted to be scholars,they would have,so i conclude that women should stop blaming men and start beeing truely honest to themselves.
for me this is very appaling because i can't get into an area dominated by males and i can see clearly it is not entirely their fault

Answer 4

No, until recently..men where theprimary bread winners and women were the homemakers.