You may be right. But I think that History has shown that cultures that repress some of its population survive, even thrive. It has even shown that some cultures that practice slavery will survive, even thrive (let alone what it does to women within). This could be because of a lack of competition from other, more benign cultures, though. Or because of any number of other factors that our limited understanding cannot begin to fathom.

I think things may be simpler than that. Although matriarchial societies have existed, in the past there has always been a division between the sexes. An acknowledgment that there are basic, undeniable differences between the sexes. And that those differences mean that one or the other has a 'natural right' to rule - to be dominant over the other - to have power over the family and the community.

With our modern technology we are now at the point where the physical differences between the sexes is becoming moot. Where technology makes most jobs equally easy for women and men. Where true equality between the sexes is possible. And it makes me rejoice. It means that we finally have the opportunity for true equality.

And I believe that the culture that achieves this objective in reality and not just in theory will have an enormous advantage over other cultures/countries. That the culture that achieves true equality (and the more the merrier, IMO. Not just equality among sexes, but among sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, any other non-essential difference) among its members will be able to become pre-dominant in tomorrow's economy. Because it will enable as many of its members as possible to contribute positively. I think this difference will provide an advantage much quicher than hundreds of years - scores should be enough.

But then, I'm an inveterate optimist:-)