Women and Children have always been the First Slaves in any society.

I found these two links on another blog and think they are VERY thought provoking.

http://www.intuition.org/txt/lerner1.htm

http://www.intuition.org/txt/lerner2.htm

They are transcripts of a two part interview by a social researcher and historian named Dr. Gerda Lerner and discuss her research and two books about the rise of patriarchy in history. (She has a doctorate degree but from what I've read is not a medical or psychological doctor.) I'd love to hear from anyone who has actually read the books. The interviews have lead me to believe I must get copies of the books.

The Creation of Patriarchy (1986)
The Creation of Feminine Consciousness (1993)