Patriarchat

Patriarchat is a social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property. The term, derived from Greek patriarkhía (father-ruled), is used in sociology and gender studies to describe a pattern of gender hierarchy embedded in institutions and everyday practices rather than in individual attitudes alone.

Historically, patriarchy has been widespread across many societies. In ancient and premodern cultures, legal codes and customary norms often structured family life, inheritance, and governance to favor men. Variants include patrilineal descent and patrilocal residence, which reinforce male authority. While patriarchy has been dominant in many places, there have also existed matrilineal or matrifocal traditions, and the degree of male dominance has varied across time and region.

Institutions such as family law, religion, education, and the labor market contribute to patriarchal arrangements by shaping expectations about gender roles, restricting women's political and economic opportunities, and controlling women's bodies and labor. Cultural norms, economic structures, and political power often intersect to sustain unequal outcomes between men and women.

Critiques and reforms: Feminist theory views patriarchy as a systemic power structure that privileges men and disadvantages women and others. Some scholars highlight intersections with race, class, sexuality, and disability, noting that patriarchy is not uniform and can adapt to modernization. Many societies have pursued laws and movements aimed at equality, though implementation and respect for rights vary.

Contemporary debates consider whether patriarchy persists in modern institutions and to what extent; efforts to dismantle it include gender quotas, anti-discrimination legislation, and cultural change toward egalitarian norms.