In Women and politics in democratic Athens Susan Cole notes, "Asymmetry between male and female in the public political life of the city was directly related to asymmetry of authority within the family. Also, David Williams claims in A Day in Old Athens that, "the Athenian house mother cannot match her husband in discussing politics." Both authors imply that the lack of political equality in Ancient Greek society was a direct result of men believing women were not intellectual beings. Women were not academically capable to discuss politics with their husbands or any man in Ancient Greece. Since women lived such sheltered lives intellectually, they were not educated on politics which prevented them from having any input. Athenian women were highly disrespected and were not considered intelligent enough to be educated on politics. Athenian women were seen as not intelligent and were shown disrespect from men in ancient Greek society. .
Athenian women were not considered intellectual in ancient Greek society prompting men to be controlling of women as if they were their personal property. Athenian women were controlled by men when concerning marriage or divorce and had little input or involvement. In the Daily Life in Greece, Robert Flaceliere clarifies, "If she was there she played no active part in the proceedings [of the marriage], nor was her consent required. Women were not able to partake in this ceremony because it did not matter what they wanted, if they were told to be married they would be married. Athenian women were given away almost as if they were livestock, with no voice to express where they wanted to go. They did not need an opinion because it did not concern them, it was business between two men. Men showed their contempt through the ability of controlling who the women married without their consent. Will Durant informs that, "The wife may not at will leave her husband, but she may ask the archons for a divorce.