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Sociology vocabulary · Family, Gender and the Life Course

Patriarchy

Meaning in sociology, with examples

/ˈpeɪtriɑːki/nounCommon term

In sociology, patriarchy means: A social system in which men hold most of the power and authority in the family, the economy, politics and other institutions.

In Turkish: ataerki, ataerkillik, patriyarka

How it is used

A key concept in feminist sociology. Sylvia Walby identified six structures of patriarchy: paid work, the household, the state, male violence, sexuality and culture. The word originally meant rule by the father of a household. The adjective is patriarchal.

Example sentences

  1. Walby argued that patriarchy has shifted from private forms in the household to public forms in work and the state.

  2. The researchers asked how patriarchy shapes inheritance practices in rural areas.

Common collocations

  • patriarchal society
  • structures of patriarchy
  • challenge patriarchy
  • private and public patriarchy
  • feminismA range of social theories and movements that study and challenge inequality between women and men and the ways gender shapes social life.
  • genderThe roles, behaviour and identities that a society attaches to being a woman or a man, as distinct from the biological differences described by the word sex.
  • gender roleThe set of behaviours, tasks and attitudes that a society considers suitable for women or for men, usually learned through socialisation.
  • powerThe ability of a person or group to achieve their goals or influence the behaviour of others, even when others resist.

More terms: Family, Gender and the Life Course

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