A. Moral power, legitimated by religious figures, can be a motivating force for battering wives, children and other women 'under' the authority of a patriarch. When changes in moral power occur, they bring uncertainty to men and women alike. B. Social Power. Several historic changes have altered patterns of social power in the home. Moving production from cottage to factory takes males away for hours and hours.
Women begin to make decisions formally left to males.
Critical masses of such women in English, French, American and Australian cities fueled feminist movements. The effects of these movements continue today. D. Changes in medical and physiological knowledge gave women more control over their own bodies and over reproduction. E. Modes of Reproduction change as mode of economic production change. With machine production in factory and farm, children become economic liability.