What is patriarchy: about the concept, history and modernity

Many people have heard about feminism and the women's movement for their rights.And most understand that the reason for this is a patriarchal society abutment that existed on the earth for centuries.It was in this article and want to talk.

On the concept

first necessarily need to understand the concept.So, what is the patriarchy?The definition states that it is a form of social relations in which the stronger sex, t. E. A man plays a dominant role in the family and the state.If we examine this concept from the standpoint of gender theory, here we can talk about it some form of control over women, gender discrimination.You can also try to characterize this Arrange one sentence, which would read as follows: the dominance of men over women.

little history

Wanting to understand is that the Patriarchate is necessary little dip into the history of this issue.Most scientists are inclined to believe that all existing civilizations were extremely patriarchal.However, some experts argue that society Neolithic and Paleolithic (which is 5-7 millennium BC) were generally gender equal.There is also an opinion that was preceded by a matriarchy to patriarchy (the social system where the dominant positions occupied exclusively by women).Yet most scientists deny this fact, saying only that the male domination - it's almost a natural phenomenon, which must define the essence of public relations at all times and in all nations.

By the way, about this and said a philosopher and sociologist like Giddens.He believed that the difference in dominance, of course, were, however, has never been a society in which all power would belong to women.But here he is trying to soften their opinions, saying that it all comes from the natural functions of the female sex.Since the ladies have to bear and give birth to children, looking after them in the first years of life, they become financially and physically dependent on the stronger sex.This, by the way, says a Canadian researcher and O'Brien, claiming that the initial division of labor, and gave rise to patriarchy as the only possibility for the survival of the system.

How indeed?

So, what is the patriarchy and matriarchy?It is a social system in which the dominant positions occupied by either men or women.However, correct to the above theory - it is unknown, because none of them has not been officially adopted.One thing is certain, that in the days of the so-called traditional society was made the division of labor, which, by the way, turned out to be far from equal.For the woman stayed home and family, and all that is connected with them.The man was given the outside world with all its charms - creativity, education, culture and domination.And argue with that pretty hard.

Fighting

Truth for the sake of it should be said that the same trend has continued to the present.And while that is patriarchy, known to most women cope with the data systems at the moment is almost impossible.Centuries-old traditions of its existence, as well as the entrenched power of men for thousands of years - to change all this and to achieve gender equality today is not only difficult, but impossible in principle.The first attempts were made even over such a female, feminism (originally - suffragette movement).Today, the ladies began to fight is not for power, but at least for equality with men (gender theory), realizing that it is more accessible and near the goal.

Proliferation

Knowing what the patriarchy, it is worth to mention the fact that the power of men is common to all the elements of social life.The representative of the stronger sex is the main family - this trend exists in virtually all nations, only some - with small reservations.Also exclusively by men in all developed countries are at the apparatus of power, women in big politics admit rarely and reluctantly.Most professions have a long history of mostly - male: doctors, police, etc.Promotes the spread of patriarchy and model of education.A man must be strong, from early childhood boys are taught that it keeps them all.The woman can afford a variety of weaknesses, knowing that it will always support the strong man's shoulder.

Church

That is patriarchy, know firsthand and church employees.Never before has the church in any country not run by women.The maximum that they are allowed - to be Abbess.Headship same position in the religious sphere belong exclusively to men.And if gender equality is already achieved some worldly spheres of life, such as family or politics, the church, in this sense it is still completely closed.

In the Orthodox Church the word "patriarch" means the title of the spiritual person possessing the highest ecclesiastical authority.In Russia there is Moscow (Russian) patriarchy, it belongs to the Russian Orthodox Church - Russian Orthodox Church, which at the time the principal is the Patriarch.This is an older tradition of his church, which long occupied the leading positions from the time of Kievan Rus.And, for example, in Ukraine, there is also another church organization, which arose not so long ago.This Kiev Patriarchate, owned by Ukrainian patriarchal Church (UPC) with its head - Patriarch Filaret.