patriarchy

(noun)

A social system in which males hold primary power, predominately in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property; in the domain of the family, fathers or father-figures hold authority over women and children.

Related Terms

Examples of patriarchy in the following topics:

  • "Poor Whites"

    • During the war, the established patriarchy continued to control the home front and keep it functioning, even though growing numbers of plain folk joined the new wartime poor.

  • African-American Culture

    • Sexual abuse of female slaves was endemic in the South , where cultural patriarchy treated all women (black and white) as property or chattel.

  • Slave Culture

    • Sexual abuse of female slaves was endemic in the colonies, where cultural patriarchy treated all women (black and white) as property or chattel.

  • The Mormons

    • His vision of a reinvigorated patriarchy resonated with men and women who had not thrived during the market revolution, and his claims attracted those who hoped for a better future.