Patriarchate comes from the combination of the Greek words pater which means father and arkhe which means origin or command . The word “patriarchy” literally translates to the authority of man represented by the figure of the father.
The term has been used for a long time to describe a type of “male-dominated family”. This occurred mainly in agricultural societies that took gender into account.
The large patriarch household included women, children, slaves and domestic servants, all under the control of one or more men.
Currently, the term is also used to refer to male domination and the power of men over women not only in the domestic sphere . This characterizes the system by which women are held subordinate in various ways, in different social spaces.
Before the denunciations of socialist authors, such as Friedrich Engels, JJ Bachofen and Hugh Maclennan, the adjective “patriarchal” was mentioned in several works by 19th century authors. The term, then, was used in a complimentary way in expressions such as “the patriarchal virtues”, extolling male power.
For the authors of the time, this is the image of a golden age, which they oppose to the corruption and decay caused by life in the city, industry and wages.
What is a patriarchal society according to feminism?
For the feminist movement, a patriarchal society is a social system dominated by men, in which they are the supreme authority figures and have maximum power.
Characteristics of a patriarchal society according to feminism
- Believes that only men are capable of leading social, moral, political and economic life;
- Believes that women are weaker, both physically and mentally, and therefore unable to make important decisions on behalf of other people or even for their own lives;
- Obedience and subordination to man are essential elements of a patriarchal society;
- Instill the idea of ”masculinity” in children within education. Sons generally receive preferential treatment and an education with sexual and moral freedom, unlike daughters;
- In a patriarchal family, it is the father who controls all economic, social and moral decisions concerning all other members of the family.
Patriarchy and the feminist movement
In feminism, the word patriarchy is used to describe the gender-based hierarchy system within society. This structure gives more value and supremacy to men, masculinity and even masculine traits.
The feminist movement characterizes most of human society as patriarchal. Their struggle, therefore, is to extinguish the perpetuation of patriarchy, considering it oppressive for women and people of non-binary genders (individuals who do not determine their gender identity in entirely female or male).
This occurs in almost all social spheres. However, according to the feminist movement, it is very noticeable when analyzing the subjugated role of women in the main institutions of the State, in the labor market and even in the family.
In addition, another area frequently addressed by the movement is women’s sexual freedom, which within a patriarchal society is tolerated and subdued.
Male violence against women is also a very strong feature of patriarchy. Many women face multiple social oppressions, as race, class and sexuality intersect with sexism, for example.
The struggle of the feminist movement
The flags of struggle of all feminist movements are gender equity and the struggle against patriarchy.
Beginning at the end of the 19th century, the first feminist wave was marked by the struggle for political and legal equality and took to the streets especially white and middle class women.
In the 1960s and 1970s there was the second feminist wave, in which the agenda brought the right to the body and pleasure. Once again, a fight against the sexual privileges and freedoms of men over women.
Second feminist wave that claimed gender equality in the 1970s.
In the late 1980s, the black feminist movement took on a large proportion in the United States, bringing racial oppression and class inequality to the agenda.
Throughout all these movements to the present day, feminist theories have expanded the definition of patriarchal society to describe an enormous social structure in which women are subjected to the power of men.
The soul of feminist politics is the commitment to end male domination over women .
What is the difference between matriarchy and patriarchy?
There are several obvious differences between these two social systems. The matriarchy , for example, is essentially oriented society for women, in which the entire leadership and authority are in their hands .
Patriarchy, on the other hand, is a social system, in which men enjoy all powers, control and authority, and women are given subordinate roles
The structures of matriarchal and patriarchal societies
Matriarchal societies are also often matrilineal in nature. This means that the offspring of the younger generations is traced through the mother. That is, children are given the title of the mother and the property and authority are passed from the mother to the daughter.
Most patriarchal societies are patrilineal in nature. This means that the offspring is traced from the father and his ancestors, not from the mother, and that property and authority are passed on from father to son.
Unlike the matriarchal system, here children inherit the title of the father and not the mother.
Matriarchy is often a very open social system, which has no moral code of conduct that people should follow.
Morality, in matriarchy, is a very personal aspect, in which people can have their own way, as long as they do not harm or disrespect others.
Patriarchy establishes a very strict code of moral conduct, which people are expected to follow, no matter what.
These rules are essentially governed by religion, government, etc. Patriarchy always seeks to teach people the difference between good and evil, right and wrong, and so on.
