re: Letters written between Abigail and John Adams, 1776 re: women’s position in society

quote:

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Depend upon it, We know better than to repeal our Masculine systems. Altho they are in full Force, you know they are little more than Theory. We dare not exert our Power in its full Latitude. We are obliged to go fair, and softly, and in Practice you know We are the subjects.

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quote:

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Thoughts?

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Fornicate about, discovereth much.

He’s saying the patriarchy exists because there was a time when savage protectors were needed, women wholly depended on men for shelter, food, protection and children back when we were cavemen and society has set up as such.
We’ve evolved since then but if you want to see our more bruish nature, it’s there, but you’d rather have our current softer side.