patriarcháty

Patriarcháty refers to a social system where men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property. In the family domain, fathers or father-figures hold authority over women and children. This system can extend to the wider community and society, influencing governance, law, and cultural norms.

The concept of patriarchát is often contrasted with matriarchát, a hypothetical or actual social system where women hold primary power. While historical and anthropological evidence for widespread matriarchal societies is debated, patriarchal structures have been prevalent throughout much of recorded human history across diverse cultures and civilizations.

Key characteristics of patriarcháty can include the patrilineal descent and inheritance, where lineage and property are passed down through the male line. Social roles are often differentiated based on gender, with men typically assigned public and leadership responsibilities and women assigned domestic and caregiving roles. This can lead to systemic inequalities in power, economic opportunities, and social status between men and women.

The term patriarchát is frequently used in feminist theory and social sciences to analyze and critique gender inequality and its historical and contemporary manifestations. Understanding patriarchát involves examining how power dynamics are structured, maintained, and challenged within societies.