>I can't say I see things that way myself, no. The male
>way of life is for those strong enough and mobile
>enough to do it. The female way of life is how those
>who have to stay in one place are also useful. I would
>imagine that older (elderly) men would also end up
>staying at home, and they'd better be productive while
>they're there. I'd guess that that's when they usually
>turn into crafters. So maybe we're missing an
>age-related sub-cult of Orlanth?
There's plenty of farming related work in and about the stead. The older men may do the work more slowly than the youngsters but probably more carefully. There's nothing in TR or ST which indicates who looks after the vegetable garden. I'd suggest both men and women do depending on the job that needs doing and the abilities the individual has. Culturally it is near enough to the hearth to be women's work but outside so it's also men's.
Those disabled by old age, accident or infirmity will end up keeping an eye on the children, carving toys and telling stories. I'll bet the fit young men say things like "That's women's work, I'll never do that when I'm old".
>I suspect we're not so much looking at the ceremonies
>as at the "lads down the pub" sessions. I've been a
>female engineer and a female programmer, and I still
>don't want to join in the "15 pints of lager and who
>can eat the strongest curry" evening. Nor the farting
>contests.
I expect there are plenty of farmers who don't join the Uroxi ceremonies either. Though the Babeester Gori appear to.
-- Donald Oddy http://www.grove.demon.co.uk/
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