Most of the junk jokes and contemporary thought on the place of the woman in society, seem to result from Greek thought. Greek and Roman thought rule the majority of what we call the civilized world today.
This has not been helped by the now reality of a global village.
The main architect of Greek thought being Hesiod. Through Theogonyand Works and Days, Hesiod expressed a hostility toward women that was endemic throughout Greek antiquity. His misogyny is best revealed through his story of Pandora, the creation of women. The very idea that women were created as an affliction for mankind proves that Hesiod looked down upon women with disdain.
The role of women in Hesiod's Theogony and Works and Days is outstandingly subordinate. There are a number of times in Hesiod's text that despises women, being mortal, immortal, or flesh-eating monsters. The overall impression of women from Theogony and Works and Days, leads one to believe that Hesiod is a misogynist.
The very creation of women was set as a punishment to man because Prometheus, son of Iapetos, tried to trick Zeus into eating bones and then, with the tube of a fennel, steals fire to give to mankind. Zeus then proclaimed, "To set against the fire I shall give them an affliction in which they will all delight as they embrace their own misfortune." Out of Zeus' anger came Pandora, the first woman.
Most of the jokes (spoken lightly or not) on women seem to offer no harm, but it doesn't require a Bsc in Robotics to understand by observation from our society if this concept prevails in the subconscious or not. Greco-Roman thought both put women in a demeaning position or compared her to a necessary evil. The story of the origins in the Bible however, demonstrates a completely different image. God created both man and woman on the same day, and in His image. Interpretation and application over the centuries of this timely truth and the unfortunate event of the fall seems to have redefined the context. In actuality what has changed is man, not God. Society’s consideration for the girl child even in so called developed countries is skewed. Gender selective abortion and education, abuse and a host of other ills can only continue to be perpetuated, not because one of the sexes has been endowed with greater strength, but rather because of the prevailing worldview, as expressed in contemporary songs, fables, jokes and all sorts of writings and beliefs that shape culture.
We need to go back to the place where we are careful of what we support especially in subjects that have a profound worldview effect. Do we want these thoughts to prevail or do we want to squash them and rather enhance the strength of God's beautiful creation to maximize output in all spheres of society and realms?
The choice is ours!
Forteh
