Why did Mayan, Aztec, and Incan society considered men and women different?
They performed different jobs in society.
They worshipped different gods.
Men controlled property while women did not.
They considered women inferior to men.
The societal structures in Mayan, Aztec, and Incan civilizations were highly patriarchal, leading to the perception of men and women as different. Here are the main reasons behind this belief:
1. Division of labor: Men and women in these societies were assigned different roles and responsibilities based on their perceived physical and biological differences. Men typically performed tasks related to hunting, warfare, agricultural labor, and political leadership, while women were involved in household chores, child-rearing, weaving, and sometimes agricultural work.
2. Religious beliefs: While men and women in these civilizations worshipped the same gods, there were often different gender roles and expectations in religious practices. For example, some deities were associated with specific gender roles, and there were separate rituals and ceremonies for men and women.
3. Property ownership and inheritance: In Mayan and Aztec societies, property ownership was primarily controlled by men. The male members of the family would inherit and manage land, while women's roles were limited to maintaining the household and caring for children.
4. Patriarchal norms: These societies held patriarchal values, which typically considered men to be superior to women. This belief system reinforced gender inequality and limited the roles and rights of women. Women were often expected to be submissive to male authority, and their societal status was lower than that of men.
It is crucial to note that these generalizations do not apply uniformly to every individual in these societies, as there were variations in gender roles and beliefs among different classes, regions, and time periods.