What is the patriarchy?
The patriarchy is a social system where men have primary power. They shape laws, culture, and opportunities. It affects all parts of society, including education, work, health, and safety. Understanding what the patriarchy is, and its role today, is key to tackling gender inequality. And ultimately creating fairer societies worldwide.
What are the origins of patriarchy?
Patriarchy is a system that developed over time. This was due to social, economic, and technological changes. In hunter-gatherer communities, many thousands of years ago, women played a key role in gathering food. Archaeological evidence suggests gender roles were more flexible in that period than in later societies.
The shift away from a more fair and equal society began during the agricultural revolution (10,000 - 6,000 BC). Farming led to extra wealth. This led to the formation of settled societies, property ownership, and inheritance systems. Men usually held the dominant role as property owners. Their work involved politics, warfare, and resource control. Women’s roles became more tied to having children and managing the home.
In ancient civilisations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and China, laws and cultural codes built the patriarchal system we see now. For example, the Code of Hammurabi, a Mesopotamian law, put women under male guardianship. In Ancient Greece, democracy existed mostly for men. Women were not considered as ‘citizens’ and only citizens could vote.
In medieval times, from the 5th to the 15th century, religions and laws supported patriarchal systems. Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Confucianism all reinforced patriarchal views. These beliefs saw men as leaders and placed women in lower roles, restricting their power and freedom. The feudal system tied political power, property, and inheritance to the father's lineage. Women were mostly shut out from education, careers, and politics.
During the Industrial Revolution, work moved from homes and farms to factories. Men took most paid jobs, while women stayed home to handle unpaid household tasks. This is when the idea of the male as the breadwinner in a patriarchal family was strengthened.
It is important to note that not all men were seen equally. For example, in Ancient Greece only men in the military could vote. This excluded enslaved people and foreign residents. Colonial powers also reinforced religion-based patriarchy globally.
Today, feminist movements have taken on patriarchal systems and achieved important wins. In many cultures, women have gained the right to vote and access education. They can work, own property, and have reproductive rights. Yet, the patriarchy persists in many institutions. This includes politics, media, law and justice, religion and cultural norms.
How patriarchal norms shape politics and policy
Patriarchal norms shape politics and policy. Men are more likely to be leaders and decision-makers. Men’s views, authority, and interests are prioritised over those of women and girls. This means men are more likely to be leaders and decision-makers. And policies often reflect their priorities. As a result, issues like childcare, reproductive rights, and fair pay are often ignored or undervalued.
Political systems based on these norms make it tough for women and girls to get equal representation. A patriarchal society keeps unequal power in place. It affects which policies are valued and who benefits from them.
Economic structures that reinforce male dominance
Many economic structures reinforce male dominance. These include:
- Wage gaps. Often, women are paid less for the same work, which maintains male financial power.
- Unpaid care work. Women and girls do most unpaid labour at home. This cuts into their time for education, paid work, and achieving their full potential.
- Property and inheritance systems. Historically, men’s control of land and wealth has carried into modern inequalities.
- Corporate leadership norms. Male-dominated networks and bias keep men in top positions. Hiring and promotion practices often favour men. Also, informal networking spaces usually exclude women. This makes it harder for women to enter senior leadership roles.
Why patriarchy is resurging today
Patriarchy never went away, but patriarchal norms are becoming louder again. This is because some men feel threatened by gender equality and social change. This shift challenges traditional power structures. When there is economic stress, job insecurity, or political conflict, many turn to traditional gender roles as a source of comfort and control. Social media and populist movements spread messages that paint feminism and LGBTQ+ rights as dangers to family values or national identity. Some leaders also use patriarchal ideas to gain power. They present male dominance as natural or necessary. Patriarchy is resurging because of men’s fear of losing their privileges and place in society. Along with their resistance to a changing world.
The opposition to feminism and gender equality
The opposition to feminism and gender equality seeks to roll back progress on women’s and girls’ rights.
It often shows up as claims that feminism has “gone too far”. It also includes efforts to limit reproductive rights. There is hostility towards movements against tackling sexual harassment, gender-based violence, and against LGBTQ+ people. It also criticises inclusive policies such as parental leave and equal pay.
Opposition can show up as online harassment. Or political campaigns for “traditional family values". As well as cultural narratives that frame gender equality as a threat to men’s status. At its core, this opposition shows men's fear of losing their long-held male privilege.
Economic insecurity and traditional roles
When people face job loss or financial stress, many look for stability in traditional gender roles. Men may feel the pressure to be the provider financially. While women are pushed into caregiving or lower-paid work. These traditional roles widen inequality. They limit women's opportunities and keep men in charge of resources. Economic insecurity makes patriarchy more appealing. It leads people to see traditional roles as a fix, even though these roles often make the problem worse.
The link between patriarchy and modern misogyny
Patriarchy and modern misogyny are deeply connected. Patriarchy is the historical system that gives men more power and privilege. In politics, the economy, and culture. Misogyny is the hostile enforcement of that system. It punishes women who question male dominance or break “traditional” roles. Misogyny today appears in many formats. Like online abuse, workplace bias or violence. Or cultural stories that belittle and silence women. Modern misogyny keeps patriarchy in place by creating fear and shame for women who want to break existing norms. It places barriers on those pushing for equality.
How online platforms amplify anti-feminist rhetoric
Online platforms boost anti-feminist rhetoric in many ways:
- Feeding the algorithms. Content that stirs anger or outrage fuels the algorithms. This boosts misogynistic posts and videos, making them more visible.
- Creating echo chambers. Users join groups or communities that repeat and reinforce anti-feminist views. Misogynistic behaviour is often rewarded there.
- Influencers and personalities. Figures like Andrew Tate share their misogynistic beliefs with large audiences. They often frame these ideas as “common sense”.
- Having anonymity. Profiles that hide identities can lead to harassment. They can lead to hate speech against women and feminists without accountability.
- Going viral. Memes, video clips, and soundbites turn complex issues into catchy anti-feminist slogans. They spread quickly.
The influence of extremist movements and leaders
Leaders today and extremist groups enforce patriarchy. They promote strict gender roles and limit women’s rights. They oppose equality and often praise traditional male dominance. They use fear of social change to win support from their followers.
Online and offline, they spread harmful narratives. Feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender equality are seen as threats to family, religion, or national identity. These movements normalise male authority and privilege. They also frame challenges to this as dangerous. This shapes laws, policies, and cultural norms to benefit men. Extremist leaders rely on patriarchal ideas to strengthen their power and control. All while rolling back progress toward gender equality.
The impact of patriarchy on girls and women
Patriarchy impacts girls and women in many ways and can be long-lasting. This includes:
- Limited access to education
- Limited career progress and leadership chances
- Unequal pay
- Risk of gender-based violence
- Mental health issues like stress, anxiety, and self-doubt
- Policies and laws that restrict rights
- Restricted sexual and reproductive health and rights. Including the risk of early and forced marriage.
Barriers to education, work, and healthcare
Patriarchy builds barriers by putting men’s needs first. It values their power and control more than that the rights of women and girls. Girls may be kept out of school because their education is seen as less important. Or they are expected to help their mother at home with chores or taking care of younger siblings.
At work, women often earn less, get fewer promotions, and face discrimination in jobs seen as ‘men’s work’. Healthcare policies can limit sexual and reproductive care. They can also fail to address women’s specific medical needs. These barriers make it harder for women to earn, learn, and stay healthy. It keeps them dependent on men. Thus, reinforcing traditional gender roles.
Institutionalised patriarchy and its hidden effects
Institutionalised patriarchy is when schools, governments, workplaces, and laws are built to favour men. The hidden effects aren’t always obvious. They can include women being overlooked for promotion, biased medical research, and laws that ignore women’s needs. Or biased medical research, and cultural messages that men’s opinions matter more.
Over time, patriarchy shapes society in a way that male dominance feels ‘normal’. This keeps inequality in place without people really realising it.
Support Plan International UK in challenging patriarchy
At Plan International UK, we empower girls to speak up. To use their voices to influence policy and create change.
In every corner of the world, girls’ rights are under attack. They’re told what they can and can’t do with their bodies. They’re told their voices don’t matter. Support our work by donating to Fierce Voices, and help girls learn about their rights.
Changing attitudes and cultural norms
Changing attitudes and norms about patriarchy requires awareness and action. It begins with education. Teaching gender equality from a young age is key. This covers respect, consent, and shared responsibilities.
Representation matters. Women in leadership and decision-making roles need to be highlighted in the media and TV shows. Books need strong female characters to break the stereotypical thinking of what a woman's role should be.
Community spaces should promote open and honest talks about gender and privilege. This can happen at schools, churches, libraries, community halls, or sports clubs.
Stereotypes should be challenged. And traditional gender roles in families, workplaces, and communities questioned.
We can only achieve equality by educating everyone. Boys, girls, and communities. We need to challenge stereotypes and social norms. Let’s also change how people view gender roles.