noun · academic
patriarchy
UK/ˈpeɪtriɑːki/US/ˈpeɪtriɑrki/PEI·tri·ar·chy
a social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, and control of property
Examples
“Many activists argue that patriarchy affects workplace opportunities for women.”
“In some cultures, patriarchy still shapes decisions about marriage and inheritance.”
“Feminist scholars often analyse how patriarchy influences family roles.”
Band 8 sentence
“Patriarchy has long shaped social expectations, dictating gender roles both in the public sphere and within households.”
Collocations
- challenge patriarchy
- patriarchy persists
- a patriarchal/ patriarchal society
Word family
Common mistakes
many patriarchy→many patriarchies
The patriarchy is existed in that region.→Patriarchy exists in that region.
Say it for a higher band
5men dominate / men in charge→6male-dominated society→7+patriarchy
Synonyms
male dominance
male supremacy
Easily confused
patriarch
“The patriarch of the family made the final decision about the estate.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Family & Relationships
Learn it with its set