Re: What Matriarchy? (was Drugs etc.)

Ashley Branchfeather (AshleyB@halcyon.com)
Thu, 18 Jul 1996 03:30:53 -0700

In article <4sjjte$dgg@eve.speakeasy.org>, mimir@speakeasy.org (Al
Billings) wrote:

>Lisa L Guffy (guffey@iies.ecn.purdue.edu) wrote:
>
>: The point behind the matriarchal society is the MOTHERHOOD is revered
>: and mothers are looked to for guidance. As for the weapons, I
>: don't think weapons automatically means that you are top dog.

There's a big difference between 'rule' and 'looked to for guidance'.
Plenty of societies look to their elders of both sexes for guidance,
whereas matriarchy I think means 'rule'.

> You are incorrect. Strictly speaking, the point behind a matriarchal
>society is that the women rule. That is the meaning of the word.

Are you sure? 'matri-' means mother, not woman, and my dictionary
(Chambers) has 'government by a mother or by mothers'.

-- 
Ashley Branchfeather