Paternalcentric

Paternalcentric is an adjective describing an orientation, attitude, or practice that centers paternal authority, male leadership, or fathers’ perspectives within a family, organization, or culture. It can characterize policies or norms that privilege paternal decision-making, authority, or values, often associated with traditional gender roles.

In use, the term appears in sociological, anthropological, or gender studies discussions to analyze how paternal-centric norms shape family structure, parenting practices, or governance. It may be used in analyses of household labor division, custody arrangements, or leadership cultures in institutions where male voices predominate. It is not a standardized term in major dictionaries and tends to be descriptive rather than prescriptive; it can be neutral in analytic contexts but may be employed pejoratively when highlighting gender bias.

Etymology: The word is formed from father (paternal) and centric (centered), combining Latin pater with a Greek-derived suffix to indicate a focus or center.

See also: patriarchy, paternalism, androcentrism, male-centered, matriarchal, gender roles, family studies.