patriarchal

Patriarchal is an adjective used to describe social systems, institutions, or attitudes in which men hold primary power and authority. The term comes from the Greek patriarkhēs, from patēr “father” and arkhos “ruler.” A patriarchal society tends to place men in roles of political leadership, moral authority, economic control, and inheritance, while women and non-binary people may face structural disadvantages.

Patriarchy is not confined to a single domain; it can be observed in the family, religion, and broader political and economic structures. In many contexts, formal laws and informal norms have historically privileged men, though the degree of patriarchal dominance varies across cultures and epochs. Some societies incorporate matrilineal or matrilocal elements, yet patriarchal norms can still influence daily life and outcomes in various ways.

Scholars in sociology, anthropology, and gender studies describe patriarchy as a system of power relations rather than a fixed attribute of individuals. Feminist theory and related disciplines analyze how patriarchy intersects with race, class, sexuality, and geography to produce unequal outcomes. Critics argue that the concept should be applied carefully to avoid overgeneralization and emphasize that social change is possible through reforms, education, and cultural transformation.

In contemporary discourse, the term is used to describe persistent patterns of gender inequality in law, policy, language, media representation, and workplace structures. Debates about patriarchy often inform discussions of gender equality, social justice, and strategies for reform across different societies.