A Thought for World Builders · 5:45am Sep 20th, 2014
So I was reading Fallout: Equestria again, and our favorite little Lightbringer had come up, with Calamity, to Stable 24, better known as the sexist stable. To make a long story sort, Pip got mad that the Overmare of this stable was an Overstallion, and there was a bunch of talk about sexism, and how it's bad, etc. etc.
Now, here's the thing. Everywhere I look. Almost everyone that tries to develop a system of politics, or whatever, almost always have Equestria as a matriarchal society. Now, nothing's inherently wrong with that, but I don't like how everyone jumps onto this idea without any real evidence to that.
"Oh, but, they're ruled by Princesses, so mares must lead the society!"
Yeah, because no man has ever bowed to a queen *cough*Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth*cough*...
"But Mares outnumber stallions 4-to-1! They must lead!"
Except on Hearts and Hooves day, where almost every mare had a stallion on her arm, and Winter Wrap Up, when stallions filled the field to try and clear it of snow...
"But Princess Platinum, and the other leaders of the Pony tribes were mares!"
As far as we know...you see...the thing is that the mane six were rewarded those parts as a way of recognizing their deeds...and with the gender-unspecific way pony names work, we can't say for sure that Commander Hurricane, Chancellor Puddinghead, Smart Cookie, Private Pansy, and Clover the Clever weren't stallions that were simply being played by mares.
"But—"
Guys...look. I'm not saying they're not a matriarchal society. I'm just saying that that's not the only option.
The way I see it, there are three possibilities:
1. They were matriarchal, and gladly accepted the rule of Celestia and Luna
2. They were patriarchal, but then took to the Princesses after a small show of force (lifting the sun by herself, etc.)
3. (The one I believe) In a society where what you are good at becomes magically tattooed onto your butt, the ones who are better leaders, the ones with the talent for it, lead.
This third option only really makes sense, even if you were to turn the clock back to the cavepony era. "Uh? Both Ug and Nua have gather-marks? Make them gather!"
Is it too much to ask for a meritocracy? A society that doesn't favor one gender over the other?
Is it?
Go ahead and leave your thoughts in the comments, I'm interested to hear opinions.
I like this.
I like this a lot. I like the idea of a Meritocracy.
Spot on. The same possibly could be said for the power ponies episode.
Anywho, Meritocracy. I approve.
...In a way, yes. The way I see it, nobody decides to have a matriarchy or a patriarchy. It just happens. And it's not just about who is in positions of power-- it's in everything from family structure up.
I find it extremely difficult to believe that a nation led by immortal princess-goddesses would not eventually develop a bias towards matriarchy. That is not necessarily saying that males are oppressed or are denied access to leadership positions, but it DOES mean that if a male is dominant in a relationship, or a male is in a stronger, more independent position, it would be considered abnormal, possibly bad, and the immediate assumption many ponies would make is that the stallion would not be as good at that job as a mare (assuming they share the same special talent).
Anyway, that's just where I stand. I guess it's possible that Celestia (and Luna, when she's not off on her little... vacation) would not effect cultural gender perception, but I would be highly surprised.
People also tend to overlook Sherif Silverstar and the fact that the Royal Guard is led by (or at least has a stallion Captain). Not to forget Blueblood's presence at the Equestrian Games, though that could have been a figurehead role. Seems unlikely however since he was sat on the same level as several apparent foreign leaders.
IIRC, the Celestia and Luna journal referred to Hurricane as a male, too.
TL;DR the Equestrian matriarchy idea is based on just a few data points and ignores the conflicting ones.
i like this idea
opens up more room for pony world growth
Y'know, I just now found this. For some stupid reason the Watch I had on you fell off when the site went down, and never realized it until now.
Anyway, this is rather how I have Valkyrie planned out. It all comes down to the ability to lead. If you have a cutie mark related to farming, but you have outstanding leadership/combat skills, then chances are you're going to eventually become some sort of officer in the Equestrian Rangers. If your mark is medical and you're outstanding at healing and have good leadership/charisma, you're more likely to end up as a Battlemedic in the Medic Corps.
Granted, that doesn't fit in with what a lot of other see as "official canon", but one of the perks of being a writer is creating headcanon, and then making it believable and real.