Waxing Philosophical on the Struggle for Social Balance Between Man and Woman -Part 1

This is just a small introduction to what I plan on being an ongoing philosophical, spiritual, and sociological pondering on the struggle for social equity between men and women, both historical and current. Many of my theories and suppositions come from my own understanding of various sources within the social sciences, religion, and history as it relates. I don't pretend to be seeking or discovering ground breaking enlightenment here. I'm just getting these thoughts, these ramblings in my head, into some cohesive text. I've been trying since I was a child to solve the cognitive dissonance created by the combination of a Catholic upbringing (of which I was a devout practitioner until 16), a conservative father, and a very strong sense of independence that told me women were equal to men. After 40 years these musings are crowded and need air. 
If anyone has suggestions for my further reading and study, please feel free to share them in the comments. I would also like to hear male points of view. I may be very familiar with male thinking and have many male friends, but I can't possible put myself entirely in their shoes. I lack the proper equipment. 
All comments must remain respectful. If I read a comment and find I am consumed with the overwhelming urge to back hand or otherwise do violence to the author, it is likely that the post was offensive and will be removed (for the protection of the author or course). I have no problem with differences of opinion, but I won't put up with small minded fundamentalist ravings. 

Why Do Men Seek to Dominate Women and Why Do Women Allow It?

Introduction:

This is a question or set of questions which I continually come back to. When I become outraged I try to understand. In the end I always come to the same conclusion. I feel sorry for the man that seeks to dominate. I feel badly that the mother in his life did not take her sacred duty seriously or was ignorant of the power she was entrusted with. Some may feel that thinking is harsh, but there is great and sacred power that women hold and so often neglect or are ignorant of. We can teach our sons to respect all women, the vessel of life. We can help them understand the relationship between life and death. We can teach them to be better, without emasculating them. 

There are many instances where subjugation of women is so complete within the familial, religious, or social structure that women do not have any right to teach their sons after they leave the breast. This is a tragedy. These social units are often marked by brutal and constant struggle. However, there are many women with no such restrictions that have not taken hold of the power they possess to shape the men of our society and to teach them about life and death and their relationship to it. That too is a great tragedy. 

When I had a son I knew a sacred trust had been bestowed upon me. I was responsible for shaping the man he would become and what he would contribute to society. My job was to teach him about the balance of nature. His father taught him what it meant to be a good man and I taught him what it meant to be a good human being. 

The social condition and natural order:

I have studied anthropology, religion, psychology, and philosophy and it all points to one ultimate unifying truth. Women create life. All those who seek to control women, seek to control life and somehow cheat death. It all comes down to the struggle between life and death. Death is to some a terrifying mystery; an inevitable end.  For others death is the same as birth; two sides to the same miracle. They occupy the same space.

A dysfunctional social dominance between men and women is the result of a social or religious structure that has a dysfunctional relationship with death.

~That's a teaser.  I will post more as soon as I have finished deciphering more of my stream of conscience scrawling. Please share your thoughts on this first snippet.