The Patriarchy

Claims concerning the exitence of The Patriarchy posit the existence of a fundamental social division between men and women whereby men collectively rule society and hold all power over all women. At its most general the patriarchy posits that (all) men have an interest in women’s oppression. The theory was conceived and developed by feminists during the second half of the twentieth century.

Definitions from Feminist Sources

Patriarchy is a term used in feminism to describe the system of gender-based hierarchy in society which assigns most power to men, and assigns higher value to men, maleness, and "masculine 
traits". Feminism recognizes most of human society as patriarchal. Feminists work to end the perpetuation of patriarchy, deeming it oppressive for women and people of non-binary genders.

Some feminists and anti-oppression activists prefer to analyse gendered power relations in terms of kyriarchy and/or intersectionality, finding "patriarchy" too focused on gendered societal 
power at the expense of other intersecting oppressions. Others prefer to continue using the term patriarchy when describing gendered oppression.

Patriarchal (adj.) describes a general structure in which men have power over women. Society (n.) is the entirety of relations of a community. A patriarchal society consists of a male- 
dominated power structure throughout organized society and in individual relationships.

See Also

• The Absurdity of Patriarchy

External Links

• Feminist Archeologist Accidentally Destroys Feminist Theory of Patriarchy
• Historical female leaders
• Ancient queens
• Female Rulers, Queens, Heads of State
• Ancient women rulers
• Female forms of power and the myth of male dominance
• Patriarchy:Feminist theory