Pateman On Locke

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Term Paper Title	Pateman On Locke
# of Words	1236
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	4.94

Pateman On Locke

For years social contract theorists had monopolized the explanation of modern
society.  John Locke was among those who advocated this theory of a collectively
chosen set of circumstances. Carole Pateman, on the other hand rejects many of the
pillars of the social contract and specifically attacks certain aspects of Locke's argument
regarding paternalism and patriarchy. Pateman defends her idea that the individual about
which Locke writes is masculine, instead of the gender-encompassing form of the word
"man." Pateman also argues that Locke denies the individuality of women. Instead of
scrapping his entire work, however, she grants him a couple of concessions, even
acknowledging Locke as anti-patriarchal. If John Locke were around to defend his
theories, he would probably have an opinion about the treatment of his work.
To accurately discuss Pateman's view of Locke's paternal/patriarchal theory, a
working knowledge of the theory itself is necessary. According to Locke "all men by
nature are equal"(Second Treatise: 43) with the exception of children who have not
reached the full state of equality, but must obey their parents. Domestic and political
power is vested in the Father, according to Locke. As he puts it, "the natural fathers of
families, by an insensible change, became the politic monarchs of them too."(Second
Treatise: 42) Locke does not reserve domestic power regarding children solely to the
Father, however. Instead he claims that the mother "hath an equal title."(Second
Treatise: 30) He even defends the rights of children. Locke argues that children have the
same moral rights as any other person, though the  child's inadequate mental faculties
make it permissible for his  parents to rule over him to a limited degree. "Thus we are
born Free,  as we are born Rational; not that we have actually the Exercise of  either:

Age that brings one, brings with it the other too." (Second Treatise: 30)  Locke does
specify that children are free because of their "father's title," in addition to being
governed by the law of their father. It is less clear in this situation whether Locke is using
the term "father" to include both parents as the "term" man can be interpreted to mean
both sexes. It is likely, based on the tradition of male heredity prevalent during his time,
that Locke literally meant only a Father's legacy affects the children.
With at least a basic background of Locke's views on paternal power, it...

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