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patriarchy

Definition

Patriarchy is a social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property. It often extends to a cultural emphasis on male dominance in various sectors including work, education, and government.

Analogy

Imagine a chessboard where all the powerful pieces (like the king, queen, bishops, and knights) are considered 'men,' controlling the game's flow and rules while the pawns represent everyone else under this power structure—this illustrates how patriarchy positions men in primary roles of authority and influence.

Related terms

Feminism: An advocacy movement that seeks equality for women by challenging historical and contemporary forms of gender-based discrimination and societal norms.

Gender Equality: The state in which access to rights or opportunities is unaffected by gender, aiming for fairness among genders in various aspects of society.

Social Construct: A concept or perception that has been created and accepted by the people in a society through cultural or social practice rather than existing inherently

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.