Gender-Based Patterns of Distribution of Power: Myth or Maerchen

摘要

This thesis attempts to compare gender-based patterns of distribution of power between a French and German village. Research was already available on French village--here called 'Grand Frault': I was to research a German village--'Lothringen'--which was selected because it was located in the Saar which has been intermittently under French or German control. Both villages are located in or on the border of historical Lothringen (Lorraine), both societies are predominantly Catholic, and both villages are primarily agricultural, although 'Lothringen' industrializing now. These similarities pointed to a theme suggested by Susan Carol Rogers--that culture areas rather than political boundaries 'might prove to be useful basis for a predictive typology of gender systems. My research suggests that cultural areas might indeed be useful for comparative work. More importantly by research suggests that the traditional 'Kirche, Kueche und Kinder' may not be representative of German villages. It is a narrow concept that ignores informal power relationships which are often masked by a myth of male dominance. In fact 'Kirche, Kueche and Kinder' wrapped up in the myth of male dominance produces a relatively egalitarian society in 'Lothringen.' The myth of male dominance creates harmony by balancing informal and formal power relationships with in the village. Survival of village life depends on this balance and harmony, and therefore, also on the perpetuation of the of male dominance.