Patriarchy for it’s effective exercise depends not so much on raw power or legal authority, as on a recognition by all concerned of it’s legitimacy, hallowed by ancient tradition, moral theology and political theory. It survives so long as it is not questioned and challenged.
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Lawrence Stone, The Family, Sex and Marriage in England 1500-1800
I’ve been researching the gender roles prevalent at the time of Milton and Aphra Behn (my dissertation topic) and this quote came up. I think it’s really fantastic.
(via feminismitmakessense)
