Gynocentrism

The term gynocentrism implies a primary or exclusive focus on women. The most straightforward interpretation of gynocentrism means viewing the world from a female perspective. Philosophically, gynocentrism is described as a feminist ideology based on female-centric beliefs, identities, and social organization. Put more simply, gynocentrism is a way of thinking and living in which women are regarded as superior in some sense and their particular needs are given priority. Gynocentrism is the opposite of androcentrism, a term used to describe a male-dominated worldview. In modern philosophy and other disciplines, gynocentric views were specifically developed in response to and as a means of offsetting androcentric views which were typically seen as predominate in society. While the historic roots of gynocentrism can be traced back as far as about two million years ago, the modern gynocentric worldview first arose during the Middle Ages. Within contemporary society, gynocentrism is closely associated with feminism and is often harshly criticized by those with anti-feminist views.

Brief History

Although there is no definitive history of gynocentrism, there are some theoretical explanations of where gynocentric ideas came from and how their role in society has changed over time. One theory suggests that gynocentrism first took hold during a period its supporters call the gynocratic age. This period was said to have begun about two million years ago. According to the theory, the gynocratic age was an era during which women were honored and even worshipped for their ability to produce offspring. Because the process of reproduction was not yet well understood at that early stage of human development, men were likely awestruck by women’s capacity for giving birth and may have viewed them as somehow imbued with mystical qualities. This led to the rise of a social construct wherein women were highly valued and praised accordingly. Supporters say the gynocratic age lasted until about 3000 BCE. Around that time, some event occurred to spark a significant societal transformation that led to the fall of gynocentrism and the rise of male-dominated societies. It is not clear exactly what happened to cause this change, but it has been speculated that it was connected to a cataclysmic event or a major change in human development. Supporters of the gynocratic age concept suggest a theory that the gynocentric worldview may have begun to decline when men eventually discovered the pivotal role they played in reproduction.

Contemporary gynocentrism has a clearer history. As it is known today, the concept of gynocentrism first appeared in the Middle Ages. As human society grew increasingly male-dominated, women gradually took on a more subservient role. With the eventual rise of medieval ideas like chivalry and courtly love, however, women once more found themselves in an elevated social position. Women were treated as delicate creatures to be loved and served by men. In a sense, men were viewed as having been built to labor for women and provide for their needs. This led to the emergence of a new form of gynocentrism. While medieval views of gender and gender roles have evolved over time, they still pervade and inform gynocentrism as it is seen today.

Overview

In its modern form, gynocentrism is said to arise from a trio of interconnected factors. These three factors are referred to as Gynocentrism 1:0, Gynocentrism 2:0, and Gynocentrism 3:0. Gynocentrism 1:0 refers to the basic human instinct to prioritize female reproductive capacity. Most human societies seek to protect and provide for the needs of women and children so as to ensure the survival of the species. This natural instinct was likely present in early humans and was carried on in one way or another through to the Middle Ages. It was at that stage that Gynocentrism 2:0 became a relevant factor. Gynocentrism 2:0 refers to a cultural intensification of Gynocentrism 1:0 resulting from changing customs in relation to gender brought about by various cross-cultural influences. Specifically, the confluence of Arabic traditions of female worship, the evolving behaviors of aristocrats with respect to courting, the emerging devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary among Christians, and other influences contributed to the development of courtly love in twelfth-century Europe. Courtly love was founded on a central theme of men essentially being subservient to women and laboring to provide for their needs. As society and its outlook on gender continued to evolve after the Middle Ages, Gynocentrism 3:0 gradually took hold. Gynocentrism 3:0 refers to the modern developed economy within which women are free to enter the workforce and thereby earn financial independence from men. This financial independence, in turn, leads to an increased demand for equal rights from women because the social trade-off that was central to romantic relationships in previous eras no longer exists. It also grants women greater freedom in terms of their ability to control their own relationships. All of these factors lead to a modern gynocentrism and a social environment in which women are particularly empowered and independent.

In many ways, modern gynocentrism is a response to androcentrism, which is a male-centric worldview in which men and the male experience are seen as being the norm for human behavior. In such a worldview, females and the female experience are inherently viewed as deviant. Therefore, as a response to androcentrism, gynocentrism is an attempt to challenge the view of masculine standards as normal and recast those standards as neutral rather than specifically gendered. It is in this attempt that gynocentrism intersects with feminism. Gynocentric feminism is aimed at reframing gender differences and femininity in a more positive manner.

Gynocentrism is not without its critics. Because of both its pro-women philosophical tilt and its obvious relationship with the feminist movement, gynocentrism is frequently the target of attacks from male-oriented anti-feminist groups. Such groups tend to believe that gynocentrism is anti-male and specifically intended to reduce men’s position in society and perhaps to encourage discrimination against men. Because of their frequent reliance on inflammatory and often factually lacking rhetoric, many of these factions are categorized as hate groups. Regardless of this criticism, gynocentrism still remains a major influence on the way people think about gender and the societal role of women in the twenty-first century.

Bibliography

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