The Male-Female Balance of Power in the Western Tradition *

Abstract

While the partnership and contractual relationships between the sexes should be foremost we cannot ignore the reality of the power struggle. After defining some of the important concepts involved in this struggle an examination of the Greek and Judaeo-Christian background to our Western tradition reveals the phasic nature of the conflict and important insights applicable to the present. It is suggested that many of the gains in the present rest upon the selfist ‘do your own thing’ ethic and ignore the contractual responsibilities essential for a more mature society.