@Flint,
Man has "controlled" women from early on because they were able to from the simple fact of physical power. They even tried to enforce that idea though the writings of the bible, and most/many cultures emphasized that man was superior and that gave them the right to control women.
If anyone has studied psychology, girls/women mature much earlier than men.
That fact still didn't allow women to gain equality; and women still suffer from unequal pay and treatment at the work place with less chances for promotions.
With the change in roles where many women earn more than men, some couples have reversed their responsibilities for the family where the man stays home to care for the children.
Even with the philosophical questions about women equality, I doubt they will ever achieve it world wide.
Interestingly enough, most of it is based on religious beliefs.