The system of power and subordination in the family of Kabardians and Balkars in the XIX – early XX century

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of power family relations in the traditional society of Kabarda and Balkaria in the XIX – early XX century. Its purpose is to study the system of gender-role relations between men and women and the functioning of the "power-subordination" mechanism among Kabardians and Balkars during this period. The study analyzes the traditional model of the family in Kabardian and Balkar societies, its structural organization and historical types that existed at the time under consideration. Much attention is paid to the study of the status of the head of the family, the contradictory position of women, children, gender ideology, which constructed stereotypical behaviors. The developed dual structure of power relations is shown, where interaction on the female half of the family according to the formula "power/subordination" was formed, similar to the male hierarchy, i.e. the wife of the older man acquired the status of the head of her female part and controlled various forms of social practice. On the basis of the studied material, it is concluded that the idea of the slavish or oppressed position of women, as well as the despotic power of the father among Kabardians and Balkars has no sufficient grounds. The father's large amount of power was compensated by the democratic beginnings of family life, and a woman in a formally subordinate position had a set of opportunities for explicit and implicit influence on decision-making. The novelty of the article is to create a more complete picture of the system of power relations in the traditional societies of Kabarda and Balkaria. The main research model was the structural-functional approach developed by T. Parsons and J. Murdoch. The field of application of this research can be social and cultural policy in our country, which allows us to harmoniously combine traditions and innovations, as well as teaching humanities in universities.