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Patriarchalism: A Primitive System with Modern Harms

Introduction

Patriarchalism, literally “rule of the father,” describes a system in which men—particularly the male head of a family—are granted authority over women, children, and society at large. While once considered the natural order of social life, patriarchalism is in fact a primitive structure that should not be accepted in a modern, democratic society. It reduces the interests of the family and community to the shallow pursuit of male dominance, legitimizes hierarchy by force, and creates fertile ground for sexual violence, domestic abuse, and even the silencing of children in cases of exploitation.

The Nature of Patriarchalism

At its core, patriarchalism is the institutionalization of male dominance. Feminist scholars define patriarchy as a system of social structures and practices in which men dominate, oppress, and exploit women (Walby, 1990). It is more than individual prejudice: it is embedded in law, economy, religion, and culture. Carole Pateman, in The Sexual Contract, argues that the very foundation of modern political order assumes the subordination of women within marriage and family.

Why Patriarchalism Is Primitive

Patriarchalism belongs to an era when brute force and hierarchy determined status. Modern society, built on principles of equality, human rights, and autonomy, cannot justify maintaining a structure that grants one gender permanent dominance. It locks individuals into rigid roles—men as rulers, women and children as subordinates—stifling cooperation, mutual respect, and progress.

The “Head of Household” and Shallow Male Interests

The idea of the man as the “head of the family” reduces the complexity of family life to a single point of authority. His interests are often shallow: preserving control, enforcing obedience, protecting reputation, and exercising power. Such authority rarely serves the flourishing of all family members. Instead, it conditions them to accept inequality and discourages dissent.

Patriarchy and Violence

Unequal power within patriarchal systems directly correlates with violence.

• Sexual Violence: Patriarchal norms normalize male entitlement to women’s bodies. Research on youth sexuality shows that female pleasure is often subordinated, and coercion or blackmail normalized in patriarchal sexual cultures (Flores-Pons & Vendrell-Ferran, 2024).
• Domestic Abuse: The hierarchy of male authority in the family legitimizes coercion and silences victims. Feminist sociologists describe a “continuum of sexual violence” that runs from harassment to rape—all enabled by structural inequality.
• Conflict-Related Rape: In war, patriarchal conceptions of women as property underpin the systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon (Niarchos, 2006).
• Child Exploitation: When hierarchy and obedience are absolute, children are left especially vulnerable. Patriarchal silence and fear can allow abuses to remain hidden.

Patriarchy as Social Training in Hierarchy

The patriarchal family is a microcosm of authoritarian governance. Children are trained to obey, women to serve, and men to command. This household hierarchy reproduces itself in politics, religion, and the economy. It is not accidental that authoritarian societies are often deeply patriarchal: the logic of obedience and dominance is identical.

Intersectionality and Complexity

Not all men benefit equally from patriarchy. Race, class, and sexuality shape how power operates. Feminist theorists such as bell hooks and Sylvia Walby emphasize that patriarchalism intersects with other systems of domination—what Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza called kyriarchy. These overlapping hierarchies mean that dismantling patriarchy requires addressing racism, economic exploitation, and other injustices as well.

Toward a Post-Patriarchal Society

Rejecting patriarchalism does not mean rejecting family, tradition, or gender differences—it means rejecting domination and coercion as their organizing principles. Alternatives include:

• Shared decision-making within households
• Legal frameworks that protect against gender-based violence
• Education that teaches consent, empathy, and equality
• Cultural narratives that value cooperation over hierarchy

Conclusion

Patriarchalism is not simply an old tradition; it is a primitive system that legitimizes violence, exploitation, and shallow male self-interest at the expense of women, children, and society as a whole. In the modern era—an era of equality, autonomy, and human rights—it has no place. To dismantle patriarchalism is to create a society rooted in respect, justice, and true human flourishing.

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References

• Pateman, C. (1988). The Sexual Contract. Stanford University Press.
• Walby, S. (1990). Theorizing Patriarchy. Basil Blackwell.
• Niarchos, C. N. (2006). “Women, War, and Rape: Challenges Facing the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.” Human Rights Quarterly, 17(4).
• Flores-Pons, E., & Vendrell-Ferran, N. (2024). “The Patriarchal Configuration of Sexual-Affective Relationships Among Youth.” Sexuality Research and Social Policy.
• hooks, b. (2000). Feminism Is for Everybody. South End Press.
• Schüssler Fiorenza, E. (1992). But She Said: Feminist Practices of Biblical Interpretation. Beacon Press.

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