What is patriarchy: about the concept, history and modernity

Many people have heard about feminism and the movement of women for their rights. And most understand that the reason for this is the patriarchal society, which existed on earth from time immemorial. About this in this article and I want to talk.

About the concept

First, it is necessary to understand the very concept. So, what is patriarchy? The definition says that this is a form of social relations in which a representative of the stronger sex, that is, a man, plays a dominant role in the family and the state. If we consider this concept from the point of view of gender theory, then we can say that this is some form of control over a woman, discrimination on the basis of gender. You can also try to characterize this device in one phrase, which will sound like this: the domination of men over women.

A bit of history

Wishing to understand what patriarchy is, it is necessary to plunge into the history of this issue. Most scholars are inclined to believe that all existing civilizations were exclusively patriarchal. However, some experts say that the societies of the Neolithic and Paleolithic ages (which are 5-7 millennium BC) were generally gender-equal. There is also an opinion that the patriarchy was preceded by matriarchy (a social order where women predominated solely). But most scientists deny this fact, saying only that male domination is almost a natural phenomenon, which should determine the essence of social relations at all times and in all nations.

By the way, this was talked about by a philosopher and sociologist, like Giddens. He believed that differences in domination, of course, were, but there was never a society where all power belonged to women. However, he immediately tries to soften his opinion somewhat, saying that this all comes from the natural functions of the female. Since ladies should bear and give birth to children, looking after them in the first years of life, they become financially and physically dependent on members of the stronger sex. This, by the way, says Canadian researcher O'Brien, arguing that the primary division of labor and gave birth to patriarchy as the only possible system for the survival of the clan.

How really?

So, what is patriarchy and matriarchy? This is a social order in which the dominant positions are occupied by either men or women. However, whether the above-described theories are correct is not known, because none of them was officially adopted. One can say for sure that even in the time of the so-called traditional society, a division of labor was made, which, by the way, was far from equal. Behind the woman there was a house and a family, and also everything that is connected with them. The man was given the external world with all its charms - creativity, education, culture, domination. And it's rather difficult to argue with this.

Fight

It is true for the sake of truth that this same trend has survived to the present day. And although it is known to most women about what patriarchy is, it is almost impossible to cope with this system at the moment. The centuries-old traditions of its existence, as well as the power of men, established for thousands of years, to change this all and to achieve gender equality today is not only difficult, but also impossible in principle. The first attempts were made by such a feminine trend as feminism (initially - the movement of suffragettes). Today, the ladies began to fight no longer for power, but at least for equality with men (gender theory), realizing that this is a more achievable and close goal.

Areas of distribution

Knowing what patriarchy is, it is worth mentioning that the power of men is extended to all elements of public life. A representative of the stronger sex is the main thing in the family - this trend exists for almost all peoples, but only for some - with small reservations. Also, exclusively men in all developed countries are in the hands of the government, women are allowed very rarely and reluctantly into big politics. Most occupations, mostly having a long history - are male: a doctor, a policeman, etc. The model of upbringing also contributes to the spread of patriarchy. A man should be strong, from early childhood, boys are taught that it is on them that everything keeps. A woman can afford various weaknesses, knowing that she will always be supported by a strong man's shoulder.

Church

Know that such patriarchy, know not by hearsay and church employees. Never has a church in a country been ruled by a woman. The maximum that they are allowed to be abbesses of monasteries. The predominant positions in the religious sphere belong exclusively to men. And if the issues of gender equality have reached already some worldly spheres of life, such as family or politics, then the church in this sense remains completely closed.

In the Orthodox Church, the word "patriarch" refers to the title of a spiritual person who possesses the highest ecclesiastical authority. In Russia, there is the Moscow (Russian) Patriarchate, it belongs to the ROC - the Russian Orthodox Church, where for a given hour the patriarch Cyril is the main one. This is an older church, which for a long time has occupied the dominant position since the days of Kievan Rus. And, for example, in Ukraine there is also another church organization that has arisen not so long ago. This is the Kyiv Patriarchate, which belongs to the Ukrainian Patriarchal Church (UOC) with its head - Patriarch Filaret.