The Predominant Feminine: A History of Erasure and Patriarchy
Explore the history of patriarchy and the erasure of the predominant feminine. Learn how egalitarian societies shifted toward social hierarchy and subordination.
Best quote from The Predominant Feminine: A History of Erasure and Patriarchy
If women’s inferior status isn't biological, then it was created; and because patriarchy has a beginning in history, it can—and will—have an end through the historical process.
Generated by Ava
An audio lesson exploring the concept of the 'predominant feminine' and how it was erased or suppressed over time, specifically drawing insights from: 'The Second Sex' (Beauvoir), 'The Creation of Patriarchy' (Lerner), 'The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State' (Engels), 'Caliban and the Witch' (Federici), 'When God Was a Woman' (Stone), 'The Chalice and the Blade' (Eisler), 'The Language of the Goddess' (Gimbutas), 'The Civilization of the Goddess' (Gimbutas), 'The Myth of the Goddess' (Baring/Cashford), 'Women’s Work: The First 20,000 Years' (Barber), and 'Woman the Gatherer' (Dahlberg).
Frequently Asked Questions
The podcast examines the historical shift from egalitarian societies to the current social hierarchy known as patriarchy. It challenges the assumption that the subordination of women is a biological necessity or a law of physics. Instead, it explores how for 99% of human history, women held a predominant role in cooperative kinship groups before intentional economic and legal erasures occurred.
Gerda Lerner is a foundational historian who argues that because patriarchy has a specific beginning in history, it can also have an end through the historical process. Similarly, Friedrich Engels described early human 'gens' or kinship groups as egalitarian societies. These perspectives help illustrate that systematic oppression was not a feature of early hunter-gatherer groups, where women's work was valued as a socially necessary industry.
No, the history of erasure suggests that the inferior status of women is not a byproduct of biology or divine design. Rather, it is a recent historical pivot created through specific social, economic, and symbolic changes. By looking at the timeline of our species, it becomes clear that the patriarchal structure is a relatively new development compared to the long history of egalitarian human cooperation.
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
