The Sexes

[Brian]

What is the Odinist position on the role and function of the sexes? Have they a specific role and primary function/duty/obligation?

Should womwen command men in government or battle?

The reason I ask is because it is my view that there has been an effeiminization of society and a castration of manhood. We no longer promote the role of man as protector, provider and warrior. Yet these roles seem a unique part of our heritage and the traditional role of men.

I am aware that within all cultures that there have been rare instances where women have arisien to positions of leadership and in that role they have commanded men. However, I contend that these instances are rare and not a frequent occurance.

Any thoughts or comments???????

[pinlighter]

We have gods and goddesses, not just gods.

The "primary roles and functions" of men and women are expressed in the god's and goddesses' nature.

This is a basic difference between odinism and the monotheisms, which declared not only that women were weaker than men but that they were existentially less, anti-spiritual, and even evil. This is not a position compatible with Odinism.

On the other hand I doubt you'd see an affirmative action program in Valhalla.

[aud_friggsdottir]

Roles in Odinism are more naturally defined. Women are naturally nurturers, protectors, teachers, etc... Men are more warlike, hunters, gatherers, etc...

The problem is when the religion defines the roles rather than nature. I tend to be more mechanical, so in our house I take care of all the electronics and often car repair (Darryl does alot, but he also works 14 + hour days), plumbing, etc... More "non-traditional" but really if we read about our ancestors...when men went away to war...who took care of the homestead...the women of the house...and it wasn't all cooking, cleaning and tending children...it was fence building, irrigation, animal husbandry, "plumbing", wagon repair, home improvement, etc... When the men came back they probably took most those things over...

I know in the pioneer times this was how things worked. When the dad had to go to "town" which was often a several week trip, the mother had to not only take care of the homestead, but also had to defend against Native attacks...even going as far as also having to patch up other people after they were attacked!

At anyrate, Heathens seem to have a strong, healthy view of gender roles.

[Teufelhunden]

I think women are very capable of just about anything they put thier mind to do, and have proven so over centuries. I know women fighter pilots, artillary crew, security police MP's and even surviavl instructors. On the other hand I know of some of these same women have children, homes and thier husbands are away at war. They can handle all this a more and they have my utmost respect. Many faces for the many roles they play and can play, they can be strong and nurture.
I just like em :p
Teufelhunden

[Lee]

My own take is that Odinism acts on nature. So men are out there acting hard, protecting the family, whereas women usually do the unsung jobs, like actually rearing the children and looking after the home. This is how is in the general animal kingdom, so there’s no reason to think that it should be any other way in the human sphere.

I totally agree with what you say about the neutering of the male in modern society. Sadly, this is a success for the liberal, politically correct “elite” who seem to have total control over western civilization. Everyone is equal, irrespective of value, worth or talent or the obvious. Men are not allowed to be “better” than women at any task, in any regard, whatsoever, despite logic. Men are physically stronger than women? You cannot say that, it is sexist, etc., etc. Men are not allowed to acknowledge that they are male, a completely different form from women as that would be celebrating difference, which is simply not done in this day and age!

This is not to say that women cannot take on traditionally masculine roles. Anyone who is over 30 and lives in the UK will remember a certain lady called Margaret Thatcher.  Love her or loathe her politically, I think she was a credit to her gender in that she was a strong woman who had grown men quaking in their shoes! When you have someone like Maggie, it doesn’t matter if they are male or female, if they are the very best person for the job, then they should be given it, irrespective of gender.

[Katia]

Odinism is a faith based on nature, and let's face it, it is usually natural for women to want to have children and take care of their home. But it is also natural for women to be fearcefully protective of their families, and be willing to do anything to protect them - including fighting or even killing! One of the great things about our faith is the respect that is attributed to the woman - think about it, no other faith pays the respect for women that ours does! The goddesses were in no way considered "inferior" to the gods, men worshipped them just as much as they worshipped their male counterparts. And these are our role models!

So if I have a strong need to have a large family and stay at home, it isn't because I'm a wimped out, spineless woman (as some career-minded females would like you to think sometimes!), it is because I am in tune with nature and this is the way my plumbing works, so to speak ;) I also agree with everything Kathy has said, as (almost ;) ) always!

[Brian]

Thanks for the comments.

As mentioned in my post what bothers me is what I see as a drastic feminization of society and the castration of what once used to be manhood. It seems politically incorrect to be a man and to assert traditional manly values and roles. Perhaps I yearn for something in the past where men were men and women were women. Now it seems we as a mixture of both....a smish-smosh and resulting confusion.

I do understand the role the women can and have played in defense of family, kin and home. It is true that while the man was off fighting that many women had to perform his duties....including defense of the home.

Thanks for the comments...they have been great to read and reflect upon!

[aud_friggsdottir]

I totally agree with your comments about the effeminization of men. I run into it alot with having two sons. My oldest boy is in the Young Marines and it is refreshing to have folks that enjoy his testosterone :D! He gets to do all the things he plays at home.

I think that one of the reasons we have so many issues with abuse, etc... from men is that they are emasculated by society....We should let boys do what they do (play war, guns, build, wrestle, etc...)so they grow up healthy, strong men!

[Hengest]

Yes, I think that although our women are strong and could probably do most of what we do if necessary, they still like their men to be.......men!

[Sigurd]

Christianity dictated that a woman has to be submissive to the man, and that she has to bear children as a punishment for Eve giving Adam the apple, and that they are not allowed to work hence. And so on...

In Ásatrú, as far as I am aware, no such ideology of women being inferior is the case. As an example, too, like given before, we also have goddesses, not only gods.

I am not sure about this, but am I correct in assuming that in ancient times the priesthood was accessible for women, too?

[pinlighter]

I am not sure about this, but am I correct in assuming that in ancient times the priesthood was accessible for women, too?


I am not sure a global statement can be made. I think there were at various times and places both male and female priesthoods, and they had different forms and functions.

[Loki's Advocate]

Honestly, in my experience, I've found that there's not all that many roles in which women can't function as well as men. Even in the area of blundering and heavy-handed governance, as Maggie Thatcher proved.

The fact that men and women are different to each other is to say little other than the obvious. However, I'd never go so far as to say that all men are X or all women are Z, because my experience has been that they're anything but.

We can speak in terms of generalities and things which are usually one way or another, but the fact of the matter is that people, as a collective, are mutable in just about any feature which ordinarily identifies them as one thing or another.

[Brian]

I am sure that there is some intended order of things, a Natural Order. This is the the way things were meant to be until mankind and womankind stuck their noses into determining how they would like things to be. Doing so only makes matters worse!