An all too commonly trend shared with various nations and civilizations around the world is the mistreatment of women. With very few exceptions, the belittling of women seems almost ubiquitous throughout history. Was this trend practiced in the aztec civilation? Or did the Aztecs understand and appreciate the importance of women’s role in their society? Overall, women were unappreciated and were not considered equal to men.
To begin with, the society of the Aztecs were patriarchal ruled by kings and noble lords. Women were considered lower than men. This is shown through the absence of women partaking in government and religious affairs (with the exception of being sacrificial victims).
Aztec women had their hands in almost everything. They learned weaving, cooking, the intricacies of child-bearing, and house-keeping skills. They also had work outside the home. They could organize and administer expeditions for trade. One of the few priviledges thay they had was that they were able to sell what they made in the marketplace and earn money for their families. They placed food, cloth and many other items on the market to sell. When disputes arose in the marketplace women were official arbiters to resolve them. These women kept their homes clean, they weaved, they cooked, they participated in the market place, and settled disputes all while taking care of rambunctious kids. The only incentive they recieved for this grueling workload was the ‘priviledge’ of earning money for their never-ending labor in the marketplace.
The Essay on Communication Between Men And Women
As everyone knows by now, there is a difference between a man and a womans outer appearance. What some people do not realize is that a man and a woman are also different in communication techniques. Generally speaking, men and women fall into two categories when dealing with communication techniques. When men talk, it is for giving information. Deborah Tannen says this informative speaking is ...
Next, we will look at spousal relationships. In many civilizations where women were considered lesser beings, polygamy was usually practiced. In general, Aztec marriages were monogamous, however, there is ample evidence that marriages of multiple wives occurred as well. Even within the monogamous marriages the female individuals were not valued. In many cases, wives and daughters of the household were sacrificed and even offered to visiting guests! One type of voluntary offerings of women for sacrifice was the Xipe Totec ritual. In this daunting practice, a young girl or woman would be given to the Aztec priests by her family. She would then be raped by the priests and skinned alive for the priest to wear. This does not display any trace of appreciation for women. The mere fact that females were the only ones to be sacrificed proves that they were considered lesser and held less power.
Local rulers started to demand taxes in the form of cloth, as the kingdoms developed, which was made exclusively by women. Cloth was in high demand because commoners were allowed nothing else to wear. The demand for it continued to increase and men began ‘taking’ additional wives so that more cloth could be produced by more hands. Thus marriages were more like business ventures and wives were more like property. This led to strained relationships within the family and female slavery increases.
The Aztecs waged war because they needed sacrificial victims, taxes, and slaves. Because of this new found workforce, women were limited to household tasks. Female slaves were also used as concubines and mothered children who consequently became slaves as well. Weaving evolved through women to adapt to the needs of their families.
A culture’s religion can really reflect on their values and opinions. In Aztec religion there are only 4 godesses. While the gods are affiliated with benevolent things such as healing and creation, many of the goddesses are affiliated with sexual pleaure and fertility. This shows that females were somehat demeaned and valued only as sexual objects.
In Conclusion, The Aztec civilization too, falls guilty in the mistreatment of females. It is evident in their religious sacrificial rituals. It is evident in the type of work the women took part in. And, it is evident in the absence of high offices held by females.
The Term Paper on Young Woman Marriage Wife God
How to Have A Joyous Marriage! by Roderick C. Meredith Here are 'keys' to help make your marriage special! These insights and tested principles will help you build your marriage into a precious relationship of joy and beauty. HIM 4 Edition 1. 3, May 1996 This booklet is not to be sold! It has been provided as a free public educational service by the Global Church of God (c) 1993 GLOBAL CHURCH OF ...
Works Cited:
Hines, Ricard. “The Mexica / Aztecs.” Washington State University – Pullman, Washington. Richard Hooker, 6 June 1999. Web. 26 May 2010. .
Mcguiness, Tim. “Precolumbian Women.” Pre-Columbian Women. McGuinessPublishing, Fall 2008. Web. 26 May 2010. .
HISTORY, ALL ABOUT. “Aztec Gods.” History – AllAboutHistory.org. 5 Jan. 2010. Web. 26 May 2010. .
