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From the primal caves to the corner offices, patriarchy’s shadow has stretched across millennia, its grip tightening over time. Contemplating the pervasive grip of gender-based oppression on our societies, many of us question if there existed a time when men held less power when the meanings of femininity and masculinity differed from their current connotations. The question of whether societies existed where gender roles and power dynamics were different is not just an academic one. It’s a yearning for a world without the pervasive inequalities we face today.
The concept of patriarchy, where men hold more societal power and privilege than women, casts a long shadow across history. The word itself has become devastatingly monolithic, encompassing all the ways in which the world’s women, girls, and nonbinary people are abused and unfairly treated, from domestic violence and rape to the gender pay gap and moral double standards. Indeed, the intrinsic distinctions between men and women are so profound that, in every manifestation of human society, a patriarchal system is argued to prevail. Rooted in these inherent differences, men, perceived as naturally more powerful and aggressive, are posited to claim a greater share of power.
But what if things evolved differently, with a matriarchy as the centre of human society?
Contrary to common belief, research shows that patriarchy isn’t a natural order of things – in fact, hunter-gatherer communities may have been relatively egalitarian. And female leaders and matriarchal societies have always existed. There are 160 recognised matriarchal societies globally, societies which are organised through the mothers rather than the fathers, across the globe. Labelled as unusual cases which are said to be “fragile and rare, possibly even doomed to extinction” challenge conventional narratives about male-dominated systems. An example of a group with female rule is the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra. In a community boasting a population of approximately 4 million, women occupy a central role, with older women revered as the bedrock of societal strength. While men are not sidelined, they typically hold peripheral roles within the family structure. Here, familial organisation revolves around collective effort, with all family members dedicated to the collective welfare and advancement of the community as a whole.
Reproduction serves as the currency of evolution, influencing not only our physical traits but also shaping behaviours and cultures through natural selection. In nomadic societies, where material wealth is scarce, women possess greater mobility within partnerships, able to walk away if dissatisfied. However, the advent of agriculture around 12,000 years ago altered this dynamic, leading to settled communities and increased conflict. With the rise of settled societies, men assumed roles of defence and resource control, gaining power and leaving them responsible for safeguarding valuable assets. As populations grew, social inequality emerged, with leaders, often male, providing benefits in return for support. Intensive farming and herding further concentrated wealth in male hands, fostering polygyny and reinforcing male competition for young women. Wealthy men attracted brides through bridewealth, while disparities in resources left poorer men single. The evolution of societal structures, particularly the formal passing down of wealth through the male line, has had profound implications for gender dynamics. With wealth as a means for males to compete for marriage partners, it became advantageous for parents to pass their wealth to sons rather than daughters, leading to a patriarchal grip on societal structures. As wealth and property formalised along the male line, women’s agency diminished, making divorce almost impossible for them. Female dispersal after marriage resulted in reduced bargaining power within their new households, contributing to gender biases. Ultimately, the cultural inheritance of any norms can maintain harsh social prejudices long after their original cause is gone.
It’s evident that norms, attitudes, and cultural factors significantly influence behaviour, with the potential to evolve, particularly in response to shifts in ecology or economy. However, certain norms can become deeply ingrained and resistant to change. Historical instances, such as the forced relocation of children from unmarried mothers in the UK to Australia in the 1970s, underscore the persistence of harmful practices, alongside contemporary research revealing ongoing disrespect for women’s authority in societies that tout gender equality. Nevertheless, there’s a noticeable trend toward more flexible gender norms, with widespread disapproval of patriarchy among both men and women globally, prompting scrutiny of traditional institutions like marriage. Enhanced reproductive rights and birth control offer increased freedom to both genders, with men increasingly participating in childcare and household responsibilities. This shift coincides with more women assuming positions of power in the workforce. As individuals gain financial independence, traditional patriarchal control weakens, challenging biassed investment patterns favouring sons over daughters. However, the future remains unpredictable, shaped by unpredictable events like wars and innovations, underscoring the non-linear progression of anthropology and history. While the patriarchy isn’t inevitable, vigilance is necessary to prevent its resurgence, particularly if governance falls into the wrong hands.
Patriarchy’s shadow may have stretched across millennia, but it doesn’t have to define our future. While historical and cultural forces have shaped its enduring grip, the rise of matriarchal societies and the growing tide of gender equality movements demonstrate its potential to be rewritten. By challenging outdated norms, promoting gender equity, and fostering shared responsibility, we can rewrite the narrative. As we move towards more flexible gender roles, increased female empowerment, and a future where financial dependence no longer dictates power dynamics, the grip of patriarchy may finally loosen. The choice is ours: to passively accept the past or actively dismantle it, paving the way for a future where equality truly reigns.
Image: Bigger Than Roe Women’s March by The National Mobilization on Madison, January 22, 2023 // CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED
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