[The elderly man--historical aspects. Several sketches from Bible and church history].

Using biblical and biblical-apocryphal sources, the characteristics of Jewish-Christian patriarchism are shown which as a system, especially embodied by elderly men, was very efficient up to the beginning of the 19th century. Following industrialization a decline set in which still continues, and by far exceeds the mere loss of masculine predominance. Particularly elderly men are affected by this. It is remarkable that the general decline of the Protestant Church (in Germany) is connected with the dwindling of responsible paternity. It is presumed that female emancipation and the recovery of masculine responsibility are not contrary but complementary qualities.