Emilia N. Volkova
Russian State Humanitarian University Moscow, Nikolskaya 15 RUSSIA
TEL: (095) 921-42-84
One of the most important methodological principles for researching any phenomenon is the analysis of its formation. Analysis of anthropogenesis is necessary for the study of gender differences in the history of humanity.
Specific nature conditions of the Eastern Africa, where first predecessors of Homo Sapiens appeared, changes of habitat due to climatic fluctuations of glacial eras, deformations of female organs during the transition to upright posture unfavorable for reproductive function - all these put the emerging human community at the edge of ruin. In this situation two different but interconnected strategies of survival emerged: "male" and "female".
The "male" strategy included active group activities, collective hunting, individual and group competition to satisfy biological needs. The "female" strategy is characterized by: development of special susceptibility, plasticity and psychic inspiration, its inclusion into general emotional and mental fields, strengthening of sensual abilities to differentiate between conditions dangerous and favorable for life. In the process of culture formation these typical for female psyche features were taken also by male strategy of life. Any act of human communication reveals "male" elements of inculcation of his will, wishes and worldview and female flexible susceptibility to word and image. Mutually provoking and enriching inculcation and susceptibility engendered magical tricks of healing, early forms of arts and religion, and affected power and submission as well as many other elements of structure of the human society.
Translated by Natalia Mirovitskaya
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