I would have bought into this comment, but then you go and insert your own politics, which is the entire point: It has nothing to do with "keeping people in their place" but just appreciating a more realistic simulation on the period. It was very rewarding to play a woman and win in Warband. Bannerlord, is virtually the same experience.
And your second statement cements your political tilt and is just another plug for how YOU think everything should be done, and why, according to your politics, anything else is vile. So congratulations for enforcing that politics is the driving force behind the change while trying to dismiss it. Simulating how things were more accurately in a video game only actually enhances modern arguments of equality, versus the PC authoritarian approach you seem to be married to.