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Unlock This CoursePatriarchal control refers to the systems and practices that maintain male dominance in society. These systems work to limit women's power, choices and opportunities in various social institutions. Understanding how patriarchy operates helps us recognise inequality and consider how society might become more equal.
Key Definitions:
Patriarchal control operates through both formal and informal mechanisms:
Patriarchal systems have existed throughout history but have taken different forms. In the UK, significant changes have occurred through:
The family is often considered a key site where patriarchal control is established and maintained. Traditional family structures have historically reinforced male authority and female subordination.
Despite more women entering the workforce, studies show women still perform the majority of unpaid household work and childcare, creating what sociologists call the "double burden" or "second shift".
The UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) time-use surveys show that women spend an average of 26 hours per week on unpaid household work and childcare, compared to 16 hours for men. This disparity persists even when both partners work full-time.
Patriarchal control in families often manifests through unequal decision-making power, particularly regarding:
Patriarchal control extends into economic systems and workplace structures, creating barriers to women's financial independence and career advancement.
In the UK, women earn approximately 15.5% less than men on average. This gap widens with age and is larger for women with children.
Invisible barriers prevent women from reaching top positions. Only 8 of the FTSE 100 companies have female CEOs (as of 2023).
Women are concentrated in lower-paid sectors like care work, education and retail, while men dominate higher-paid industries like technology and finance.
Economic inequality creates dependency relationships that can trap women in situations where they have limited choices:
Media and cultural representations play a significant role in normalising and reinforcing patriarchal control by shaping our understanding of gender roles and expectations.
Women in media are often:
Advertising reinforces patriarchal control by:
Social media platforms present a complex picture of patriarchal control. On one hand, they can reinforce beauty standards and create new forms of pressure on young women. On the other hand, they provide spaces for feminist activism and challenging traditional gender norms. Research by the UK Children's Society found that girls are twice as likely as boys to experience negative effects on mental health from social media use, suggesting these platforms may reproduce gender inequalities in new ways.
Different feminist perspectives offer varying analyses of how patriarchal control operates and what should be done to challenge it.
Focuses on legal and political equality. Seeks reform within existing systems through equal rights legislation, workplace policies and increasing women's representation in positions of power.
Views patriarchy as the primary system of oppression. Argues that male control of women's bodies and sexuality is central to patriarchal control, requiring fundamental social transformation.
Links women's oppression to capitalism. Sees patriarchal control as serving capitalist interests by ensuring unpaid domestic labour and maintaining a divided workforce.
Contemporary movements and changes are challenging traditional forms of patriarchal control in various ways.
Significant progress has been made through legislation such as:
Recent social movements have brought renewed attention to patriarchal control:
Intersectionality theory, developed by Kimberlé Crenshaw, highlights how different forms of oppression (like sexism, racism and class) interact. This perspective shows that patriarchal control affects different women in different ways. For example, Black women in the UK face both a gender pay gap and a racial pay gap, earning on average 25% less than white men. Understanding these intersections is crucial for challenging patriarchal control effectively.
While significant progress has been made in challenging patriarchal control, gender inequality persists in many areas of social life. Sociologists continue to study how patriarchal systems adapt and change and how they intersect with other forms of inequality.
Understanding patriarchal control is not just about recognising inequality but also about imagining and working toward more equal social arrangements. By examining how gender inequality is maintained through various social institutions, we can better understand how to create change.