rousseau2

      The state does effect the family, in many ways. Rousseau speaks about how French
women live in convents for the early part of their life, but are more free later on. He
compares this to who Spartan tradition of having young, unmarried women exposed to
public life much more, and retired to more domestic lives later in life when they no longer
have to find a husband. These differences are created, or even dictated, by the state of
each respective society. The mandates of a state create customs and traditions which guide
family life. Family "is connected with society only by its head, the position of the head
determines that of the entire family.(p.407)" That is, the man of the family is the family's
figurative representative to the state.
      In family, men and women each have very important roles that complement each
other, even if awkardly. Of the woman Rousseau says "She ought to reign in the home as
a minister does in a state-by getting herself commanded to do what she wants to
do.(p.408)" In this he is making her both subservient and authoratarian, as his realistic
example of a minister would be. The minister has a great deal of power that could
exercised. "The best households are invariably those where the woman has the most
authority." But, in the next sentence, "when she fails to recognize the voice of the head of
the house, when she wants to usurp his rights and be in command herself, the result of this
disorder is never anything but misery, scandal, and dishonor.(p.408)" This seems to be
consistent with his theme that in ideals, women have the authority. But, when it comes to
reality it is the man who holds the power.
      They each, both men and women, also have very important roles in the state. As
was noted, the man is the family's representative to the state. But, women also have a
great responsibility of raising the children at the earliest ages. They also have a great
responsibility of self image. As he shows by example of Rome.
      "It is there that women honored the exploits of great generals, that they wept
       publicly for the fathers of the fatherland, that their vows or their mourning were
       consecreated as the most solemn judgement of the republic. All the great
       revolutions there came from women.(p. 390)"
By the image of patriotism and dedication they affected the entire state of the government!
Just as a wife can honor or disgrace a family with her image, women can honor or disgrace
the state with their collective image.

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