We had a discussion regarding Male/Female roles in DE society on the forums some time ago, and I thought I would quote some of what was said here.
"As a female DE, I have never seen males as either "feminine" or "inferior" although I know people who prefer to play it that way. I tend to look at men as less logical, more prone to acting impulsively, more ruled by their emotions (anger, fear, love--the whole gamut) and hormones, but those are the reasons that it IS a Matriarchy...Females are better able to handle the stresses of politics and the day to day decisions that must be made without overreacting. The females look at the long term more readily than at the immediate situation, and are willing to wait and manipulate situations until they come around to where we want them. It is a division of labor that best serves the race as a whole."
~Amy aka "Tenuviel"
"Hmmm. Male over female. I have to say with personnal experience males in power have to "dance" a very careful game when it comes to dealing with females. There have been many situations where a female of no station or lower station has said something and I have had to quickly think of how to get out of the situation with my head intact."
~Kevin aka "High Lord Tao"
"If a female of little or no rank tries to pull rank on a male who is higher, such is a No No. I don't hold any rank, and I take no orders from rankless females, or females whom I dislike."
~David Z aka "Du'Kratha"