Representation mythique du monde et domination masculine chez les Pomaques Grecs
Part of : Επιθεώρηση κοινωνικών ερευνών ; No.Special, 1981, pages 122-142
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122-142
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Mythical representation of the world and male domination among Greek Pomacs
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This survey, which is part of a research program into dominationand/or exploitation relationshpis within the Greek family tries toavoid falling into the double trap of theoretical formality on the one hand and monography with no problematical dimension on the other.Using the case study method, the analysis of relationships betweenthe sexes in a Pomac village enables us to analyse a particular type ofdomination through which the exploitation of women becomes areality in some rural societies.The sexual divisions of labour amongst the Pomacs cannot beunderstood without reference to the system of mythical oppositionswhich shapes all practices and divides them into male or female categories. The apparent contradictions can be explained by thetechnaeconomical as well as logical problems mythical thought isfaced with when materializing in the division of labour. However, ifmythical thinking can escape contradictions, it is because it classifiesactivities according to different categories of classification by perceiv ing every activity in multiple dimensions: the location, the requiredposture, the relatively dirty nature of the work, etc.In their dominant position in the production relations, the men find ideological conditions within the mythical oppositions to. maintain their domination. The mythical «rationale» screens dominationand exploitation relationships since it grounds each sex’s position onthe nature of things, since it tends to continuously provide proof ofitsgenuinity and because it is relatively autonomous as regards the domination and exploitation relationships it implies. Moreover, byrelegating women to a closed environment, by excluding them from schools and cinemas, by separating them from money, the mythical«rationale» becomes the basis of their total dependence and deprivesthem of the intellectual tools and material means necessary for theirliberation.Due to theirdominant position, the men have had the opportunityof reinforcing their position through the changes caused by theopening-up of Pomac society towards the outside world. Thesechanges have meant more work for and, above all, greater devaluation of women. In the future however, those changes will be agentsresponsible for women’s liberation, as already shown in the appearance of an acute awareness of their exploitation among young girls.
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