Phallocentrism

Phallocentrism is a term used in social science and feminist theory to describe the privileging of male perspectives and experiences as the norm or default in culture, law, and everyday life. The word combines the Greek word for “male” (phallus) with the suffix “-centrism,” meaning “centrality.” The concept suggests that male power and male-centered ways of thinking are taken for granted, shaping institutions, language, and visual representation.

The idea originates in psychoanalytic theory, particularly in the work of Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan, who argued that the phallus is a symbolic marker of authority and ownership in the human psyche. Later, feminist scholars such as Karen Horney, Betty Friedan, and more recently Judith Butler and bell hooks, expanded the analysis to sociopolitical contexts. They argue that phallocentric thinking normalizes masculine dominance in family structures, religion, media, and the economy.

Phallocentrism is often linked to the concept of the “male gaze,” from feminist film studies, which describes how visual media position viewers to see only from a masculine perspective. It is also associated with practices in architecture, where the “male” form is normalized as the model for space and design. Critics say that phallocentrism erases or marginalizes female bodies and experiences, reinforcing gender inequality.

In academic literature, phallocentrism has been criticized for perpetuating patriarchal systems and for the way it shapes knowledge production. Some scholars argue for deconstructing phallocentric norms by promoting gender-neutral frameworks and encouraging representation that acknowledges diverse bodies and viewpoints. Debate continues over how deep the traces of phallocentrism are and what strategies best address its influence in contemporary culture.