A very serious question for the men here at DU:

[white_wolf]

83. Patriarchy is an ancient system and we still haven't really gotten rid of it.

That is what it comes down to, though, power. For centuries people were taught that woman were inferior to men and were not capable of making decisions on their own. They had to have a man to make their decisions for them. Christianity, since you asking about the U.S., only made that sentiment more entrenched since the Bible is full of verses that describe women as second class people.

Also, I would say one of the biggest reasons men opposed it for so long was that they were afraid of losing their privileged place in the society and at home. A lot of the men of that time likely feared that once women got the right to vote and have a greater role in civic society, they would start wanting a greater role at home and would want something more than taking care of the home and the kids all day.

In my opinion, a lot of it came to power and entrenched system of patriarchy that we have weakened, but certainly not ended.