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considerably modified by circumstances which have generally been left out of consideration by the generalizer. And we must dis- tinctly and emphatically reject as erroneous the broad statement, often met with, that the lower races, taken as a whole, hold their women in a state of almost complete subjection. Among many of them the married woman, although in the power of the hus- band, is known to enjoy a remarkable degree of independence, to be treated by him with great consideration, and to exercise no small influence upon him. In several cases she is even stated to be his equal, and in a few his superior. In support of this I shall quote some statements made by reliable observers in various savage lands.
Among many, or most, of the North American Indians the position of women appears to have been anything but degraded. Says Mr. Grinnell :
The Indian woman, it is usually thought, is a mere drudge and slave, but, so far as my observations extend, this notion is wholly erroneous. It is true that the women were the laborers of the camp, that they did all the hard work
about which there was no excitement but they were not mere servants.
On the contrary, their position was very honorable. They were consulted on many subjects, not only in connection with family affairs, but in more important and general matters. Sometimes women were even admitted to the councils
and spoke there, giving their advice In ordinary conversation women
did not hesitate to interrupt and correct their husbands, when the latter made statements with which they did not agree, and the men listened to them with respectful attention.
Among the Navahoes the women "exert a great deal of influ- ence;" they "are very independent of menial duties, and leave their husbands upon the slightest pretext of dislike;" "by com- mon consent the house and all the domestic gear belong entirely to the wife." Among the Omahas the women had an equal stand- ing in society with the men ; both the husband and wife were at the head of the family, and the joint owners of the hut, robes, etc., so that the man could not give away anything if his wife was unwilling. Mr. Morgan says of the Seneca tribe :
Usually the female portion ruled the house and were doubtless clannish enough about it. The stores were in common ; but woe to the luckless husband^ or lover who was too shiftless to do his share of the providing. No matter how
