patriarchy
PAY-tree-ar-kee
Definition
A social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property.
Etymology
The word originates from the Greek 'patriarches', meaning 'father or chief of a race', which is a compound of 'pater' (father) and 'archein' (to rule). It entered Middle English through Old French and Latin, eventually evolving to describe organized systems of male dominance.
In the news
In the article, the author discusses how patriarchal codes of masculinity pressure boys to conform to rigid hierarchies, leading to emotional trauma. This term is central to the author's argument that such societal structures harm both men and women by discouraging empathy and vulnerability.
Constitutional Scholar David A.J. Richards Examines the Hidden Wounds of American Manhood
Read the full article ↗PR Newswire