al share in the pursuits and the education of men, as the ideal education was also for the best woman (Book V 452a). Nevertheless, the ideal education inhibited and surpressed feminization, it was designed for future guardians, molding women into the male paragon. Plato judged men to be biologically more competent as a class in all activities, the limbs should be trained as far as possible, woman should do what men do only so far as possible (Book V, 457e). Women have always been at a disadvantage, Plato did not consider that educational practices ought to be designed to compensate for this fact. He did not think any methods were possible to correct women's slight disadvantage. With out changes in gender expectations, there is no way that education can be identical. Plato believed women have the capacity for education identical to men's Book V, 457b). Equal education for female and male guardians would be sufficient to guarantee the development of an androgynous, superior group composed of assertive, dominance-oriented de-sexed females and men. He gives freedom for men and woman to develop to their highest capacities, standard male capacities. The exercises will not be modified for female needs, women will simply be added to an already existing structure. A structure that demands their de-feminization.Plato indicates how women might live is a man's world, but there is little doubt that it is a man's world. Woman might become a guardian, but only by becoming honorary men: by having, men make room for them within male-defined structures. Woman will be equally responsible for formulating and enforcing the laws and establishing which traits are to be valued, however. They will be socialized into the orienting assumptions of patriarchy and be disinclined to challenge them. Patriarchy is a system of social structures and practices in which men dominate, oppress, and exploit women. It is based on an ideology of men’s superiority over wom...
