l State, human beings are differentiated by their natural inclinations to various pursuits. Plato demonstrates that biological differences are relevant only to reproductive activities (Book V, 454a-454e). Plato ruptures the connection between family, private property, and woman's roles. Childrearing will not interfere with the education and other activities of women of the guardian class (Book V, 457d). Plato establishes a set of social arrangements in which there will be no conventional family structures. Children who will be born as a result of brief periods of co-habitation in designated festival, "will be taken over by the officials appointed for the purpose, men or woman or both" (Book V, 460) and raised communally. He does not automatically assume that children's upbringing is by nature a female task. Men are equally competent for the task of caring for children (Book V, 458d). Woman's special abilities were used to vindicate maintaining them out of sanctioned male fields. A patronizing determination that woman are especially dexterous for jobs associated with childcare or nurturance has conveyed the idea that woman do these things better then men there for they ought to remain in those sectors. Plato argues that women have no special competence, men can do any thing woman can - better. Plato advocated extending the binding force of family ties to the society as a whole. He is not concerned with woman's desires or needs. He does not care whether their present roles frustrate them, or whether they will lead more fulfilling lives as guardians then as housewives. Plato breaks the bond between mother and child and limits women's participation in household management and nurturance if they are to participate in governance. Gender division of labor ceases. Men and woman have identical natures and merit identical roles. Plato never discusses how to reconcile the private/public dichotomy and identical male/female natures among the third c...
