What is Patriarchy? (And How Does it Affect Us Today?)

Summary

In this video, Amy MC Alest explores the concept of patriarchy, its origins, and its pervasive influence on modern society. She discusses the historical roots of male dominance and how it manifests in various forms, from misogyny to benevolent patriarchy. Amy emphasizes the importance of understanding patriarchy's impact on both men and women, and she invites viewers to join her in examining its presence in our lives. The video aims to foster a compassionate and precise conversation about patriarchy, challenging viewers to consider its effects and the possibility of change.

Takeaways

• 📚 The script discusses the concept of patriarchy, exploring its origins and its ongoing impact on society.
• 🌐 Patriarchy is a global phenomenon, with historical roots that have influenced social hierarchies across different cultures and eras.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The term 'patriarchy' is derived from 'pater' meaning father and 'archein' meaning rule, signifying a system where men hold power and authority.
• 🔍 The speaker, Amy, embarked on a research journey to understand patriarchy's pervasiveness, reading extensively and consulting with experts worldwide.
• 🤔 The video series aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of patriarchy, making the complex topic more accessible and engaging for viewers.
• 👶 Patriarchy assigns elevated status to males from birth, influencing societal norms and expectations throughout their lives.
• 🚫 Patriarchy is not synonymous with men having easy lives; it can coexist with other forms of oppression such as caste and race.
• 👑 While some men may not feel the benefits of patriarchy, others may wield power over women, even within lower castes or racial groups.
• 👵 There are exceptions where women hold power, but this is often 'in spite of' their gender, not because of it, highlighting the systemic nature of patriarchy.
• 💡 The script clarifies misconceptions about patriarchy, emphasizing that it does not imply all men are in positions of leadership or that all men are misogynistic.
• 🌱 The discussion invites viewers to reflect on their own experiences with patriarchy and to engage in conversations that challenge and dismantle these structures.

Q & A

What does the term 'patriarchy' mean and how is it defined in the script?

Patriarchy is defined as a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it. It is derived from the Greek and Latin words for 'father' and 'rule,' literally meaning 'father rule.' It has expanded to mean men ruling over women, where men are given elevated status in relation to women just by virtue of being male.

What are the two main types of patriarchy mentioned in the script?

The two main types of patriarchy mentioned are 'misogynistic patriarchy' and 'benevolent patriarchy.' Misogynistic patriarchy is based on the belief that men must be in charge of women because women are inferior and untrustworthy, while benevolent patriarchy suggests that men should be in charge to protect women, who are seen as weak and delicate.

How does the script differentiate between patriarchy and the individual experiences of men?

The script clarifies that patriarchy does not mean that all men have easy lives or positions of leadership. It acknowledges that men can face hardships due to factors like poverty, race, and caste, and that patriarchy operates such that a small group of men often presides over others, sometimes excluding or oppressing them.

What is the purpose of the video series on patriarchy as described in the script?

The purpose of the video series is to provide a summary of the research on patriarchy, its origins, and its impact on modern society. It aims to help viewers understand historical facts about patriarchy and engage in more comfortable and confident conversations about it.

Why does the script emphasize the importance of a common vocabulary when discussing patriarchy?

The script emphasizes the importance of a common vocabulary to avoid misunderstandings and to facilitate productive conversations. It points out that without a shared understanding of terms like 'patriarchy,' discussions can lead to frustration and miscommunication.

What does the script suggest about the existence of women with power in a patriarchal society?

The script suggests that while patriarchy is a system that privileges men, there are women who hold power, such as Queen Elizabeth or Oprah. However, these women have power in spite of being women, not because of it.

How does the script address the misconception that patriarchy implies all men are bad or women are good?

The script addresses this misconception by stating that patriarchy does not mean that men are bad or women are good. It emphasizes that individual human beings are complicated, and patriarchy is simply a system that gives men power and excludes others, without making judgments about the inherent goodness or badness of individuals.

What is the script's stance on the idea that patriarchy is part of human nature?

The script does not directly state that patriarchy is part of human nature but invites viewers to explore the origins of patriarchy in future episodes, suggesting that the concept is complex and not necessarily inherent.

What is the role of the audience in the discussion about patriarchy according to the script?

The script encourages the audience, regardless of their gender, to participate in the conversation about patriarchy. It emphasizes that everyone is needed in these discussions to work towards a fair world that allows all individuals to thrive.

How does the script define 'de jure' and 'de facto' patriarchy, and why are they important?

The script defines 'de jure' patriarchy as attitudes, policies, or practices encoded in law, and 'de facto' patriarchy as those that persist in fact, even if not legally mandated. These concepts are important because they explain how patriarchal structures can continue to influence society long after legal changes have been made.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Patriarchy

The speaker, Amy, introduces the concept of patriarchy and its pervasive influence in society. She recounts her academic journey at Stanford, where she observed the consistent dominance of men across various social hierarchies throughout history. This observation led her to an extensive research endeavor, involving reading hundreds of books and consulting with experts globally. The video series aims to condense her research into an accessible format, enabling viewers to understand and discuss patriarchy confidently. Amy emphasizes her approach with love and compassion, aiming for a fair world that allows everyone, including men, to thrive. She also stresses the importance of precision in language to facilitate productive conversations about patriarchy. The paragraph concludes with a definition of patriarchy, derived from its etymology, which literally translates to 'father rule,' and explains how it manifests in society as male dominance over women.

05:01

🌐 The Complexities of Patriarchy

Amy delves into the complexities and misconceptions surrounding patriarchy. She clarifies that patriarchy does not imply that all men lead easy lives or hold positions of leadership. It also does not mean that all men are misogynistic or that women are inherently good. Patriarchy can coexist with other forms of oppression, such as caste and racial hierarchies, where men from lower castes may face significant challenges. The paragraph also addresses the idea that some men may not feel the privileges of patriarchy, while others may choose to renounce it. Amy discusses the existence of powerful women, like Queen Elizabeth or Oprah, who have power despite the patriarchal system, not because of it. She distinguishes between de jure and de facto patriarchy, explaining how patriarchal attitudes and practices can persist even when not legally enforced. The paragraph concludes with a call for viewers to reflect on their experiences with patriarchy and engage in the conversation, inviting them to share their stories.

Keywords

💡Patriarchy

Patriarchy refers to a societal system where men hold primary power and are dominant in roles of political leadership, moral authority, and social privilege. In the video, the term is central to the discussion, as the speaker explores its origins and its pervasive influence on modern society. The script mentions that patriarchy can manifest in different forms, such as benevolent or misogynistic, but fundamentally, it positions men as the primary authority figures.

💡Male Dominance

Male dominance is a concept that describes the historical and social prevalence of men holding power and authority over women. The video script discusses how this concept has been a consistent feature across various societies and time periods, often leading to the marginalization or oppression of women. It is a key aspect of patriarchy and is used to illustrate the systemic nature of gender inequality.

💡Social Hierarchies

Social hierarchies are the ranked structures within societies that dictate the roles, power, and status of individuals or groups. The script notes that in many cultures and eras, men have occupied the top positions in these hierarchies, which is indicative of patriarchal influence. This concept is integral to understanding how patriarchy has shaped societal structures and the distribution of power.

💡Misogyny

Misogyny is the hatred, contempt, or prejudice against women. In the context of the video, the speaker discusses how a culture of misogyny can be a manifestation of patriarchy, where men are taught that they must be in charge of women due to perceived female inferiority. This term is used to highlight one of the negative attitudes that can arise from patriarchal beliefs.

💡Benevolent Patriarchy

Benevolent patriarchy refers to a form of patriarchal society where men are perceived as being in charge of women out of a sense of protection or care, rather than hatred or contempt. The video script contrasts this with misogynistic patriarchy, suggesting that despite different motivations, both versions result in men holding primary power and authority over women.

💡Etymology

Etymology is the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history. The script uses etymology to explain the roots of the word 'patriarchy,' deriving from the Greek and Latin words for 'father' and 'rule,' respectively. This analysis helps to clarify the literal meaning of patriarchy as 'father rule,' which is central to the video's exploration of the concept.

💡Privilege

Privilege, in the context of the video, refers to the unearned advantages or benefits that men receive by virtue of being male in a patriarchal society. The script acknowledges that some men may not feel this privilege, and it does not imply that all men's lives are easy. Instead, it highlights the systemic advantages that men often have over women, which can be invisible to those who benefit from them.

💡Authority

Authority in the video is discussed in relation to the power that men hold in patriarchal societies. It is not just about legal or formal power but also about the social and cultural expectations that place men in positions of control and decision-making. The script points out that this authority can be found in various aspects of life, including the home and the workplace.

💡De Jure and De Facto

De jure and de facto are Latin terms used in the video to distinguish between practices that are legally codified (de jure) and those that persist due to tradition or habit (de facto). The speaker uses these terms to explain how patriarchal attitudes and practices can continue to influence society, even if they are no longer legally mandated. This concept helps to illustrate the enduring nature of patriarchal norms.

💡Inequality

Inequality is a term that refers to the unequal treatment or access to resources and opportunities among different groups. In the video, the concept of inequality is closely tied to patriarchy, as it discusses how patriarchal systems create and perpetuate disparities between men and women. The script uses this term to highlight the social injustices that result from patriarchal structures.

Highlights

The term 'patriarchy' is often misunderstood and can mean different things to different people.

Patriarchy is a system of male dominance that has been prevalent throughout history.

The speaker's journey to understand patriarchy began during her master's program at Stanford.

Patriarchy is not just a historical concept; it continues to affect our lives today.

The video series aims to provide a summary of the speaker's research on patriarchy.

Patriarchy can be both overtly oppressive or subtly benevolent, but both versions place men in a position of primacy.

Patriarchy does not mean that men have easy lives; it can coexist with other forms of oppression.

Patriarchy does not mean that all men hold positions of leadership; often a small group of men presides over others.

Some men may feel uncomfortable with the unearned privilege that patriarchy affords them.

There are women with power, but they often have it despite being women, not because of it.

Patriarchy can persist in secular society through de facto practices, even if it's no longer legally encoded.

Patriarchy does not mean that men are bad or women are good; it's a systemic issue, not an individual one.

The speaker emphasizes that patriarchy is not about individual men but about systemic structures that privilege men.

The etymology of 'patriarchy' reveals its meaning as 'rule by fathers', which has expanded to mean 'men ruling over women'.

The speaker discusses the different cultural manifestations of patriarchy, from misogyny to benevolent protection.

Patriarchy can be seen in wedding vows, where women may still pledge obedience to their husbands.

The speaker invites viewers to share their experiences with patriarchy in the comments.

Transcripts

patriarchy patriarchy patriarchy bring

back the patriarchy patriarchy a society

built by men for men how a system of

male dominance no it's not that's not

true at some point you've probably

stumbled upon the word patriarchy maybe

at school maybe at church maybe in your

social media feed after the Barbie movie

or at a Thanksgiving dinner that got a

little awkward regardless of where you

first heard the word patriarchy I'm

going to take you on a journey today to

discover the origins of patriarchy and

how it still affects our lives today I'm

Amy MC alest my journey to understand

patriarchy began during my master's

program at Stanford we were learning

about the foundations of philosophy and

art and politics and religion and

history and I noticed that all over the

world throughout almost every era of

time men were on the top of all the

social

hierarchies I wanted to know how and why

that happened these questions led me to

read literally hundreds of

books and talk with experts all around

the world I've learned fascinating

lifechanging information as I share my

research with other people the two

things I hear most often are why didn't

I learn this in school and how can I

learn this now without having to read

all of those books so this video series

will provide the tldr for my research

we'll dive deep into patriarchy's

Origins and Trace its development all

the way through Modern modern times this

way you'll be able to understand the

historical facts and be able to talk

about it more comfortably and

confidently when it comes up in

conversations so whether you're a

staunch defender of patriarchy a fierce

critic or simply curious stay with us as

we unpack the huge questions what is

patriarchy how has it shaped our world

and how does it continue to affect us

today before we start I want to

establish two important points first of

all I talk about patriarchy with love

and compassion for people and that means

the whole Human family including boys

and men my favorite people in the whole

wide world are my husband and our four

children and we want a world that is

fair and allows all of them to thrive

our daughters and our sons so whoever

you are regardless of your gender I will

be addressing you with kindness and

respect you're not only welcome here

you're needed in these conversations

second I talk about patriarchy with

Precision have you ever had a

conversation where both of you just

talked past each other and ended up

feeling frustrated and

misunderstood I have and a lot of times

that happens because people lack a

common vocabulary if when I say

patriarchy I'm picturing the Taliban and

when you say patriarchy you're picturing

your sweet gentle Grandpa it's likely

that we're going to misunderstand each

other and we won't be able to have a

productive conversation if only there

were some sort of book or online

reference that we could all go to for a

common definition of what words mean oh

wait the dictionary definitions of

patriarchy are a system of society or

government in which the father or eldest

male is head of the family and descent

is traced through the male line and a

system of society or government in which

men hold the power and women are largely

excluded from it now let's go to the

etymology which means the roots of the

word patri comes from the Greek and then

the Latin Potter which means father and

Ary comes from the Greek AR which means

domination Authority or sovereignty so

literally patriarchy means father rule

just like monarchy or monarchy means one

person ruling and Anarchy or Anarchy

means nobody ruling patriarchy means

father Rule and it's expanded to mean

men ruling over women the way that it's

practiced means that when a baby is born

and someone says it's a boy that baby

inherits elevated status in relation to

women that will Pur IST throughout its

life just by virtue of being male this

little boy might grow up in a culture of

misogyny which in Greek means hatred of

women he might learn that men have to be

in charge of women because women are

inferior and untrustworthy and so they

need to be controlled another little boy

might grow up in a culture of benevolent

patriarchy he might learn that men need

to be in charge of women because women

are weak and delicate and need to be

protected misogynistic patriarchy and

benevolent patriarchy come from very

different beliefs and intentions but

both versions put men in a position of

Primacy where they get to define the

terms for everyone else now there may be

some men watching this who think wait I

don't feel this privilege and Power in

fact in some cases I feel the opposite

and that makes sense because there are

some things that patriarchy does not

mean patriarchy does not mean that men

have easy lives a boy who suffers from

chronic pain may have a much more

difficult life than a girl who doesn't a

man who lives in poverty may experience

much more hardship than a woman who has

access to material wealth in fact in

some circumstances like cast systems and

racial hierarchies men belonging to a

lower cast can have challenges that on

the balance make their actual everyday

lives much harder than the lives of

dominant cast women men in these

circumstances May struggle in nearly

every sector of society except at home

these same men who operate in a race or

cast based hierarchy out in the world

can come home and find themselves in a

gendered hierarchy that gives them

Authority and privilege in relation to

women of their same cast and remember

that women experience race and cast

oppression too and by the way women also

experience physical and mental illness

and poverty and on top of that in

patriarchy women also experience gender

based depression another thing that

patriarchy doesn't mean patriarchy does

not mean that all all men have positions

of leadership usually the way patriarchy

works is that a small group of men

presides over all the other men and they

may exclude or oppress other men for a

whole host of reasons that may not be

fair at all and that cause real

Injustice and pain we see this in the

United States Constitution which

completely excluded men of color and men

who were too poor to own land from civic

participation and it excluded all women

because they were women

next patriarchy does not mean that every

man uses his authority and privilege

over the women in his life many men feel

uncomfortable with this unearned

privilege and some men may even abdicate

that privilege the way King Edward VII

abdicated the throne as king of England

but keep in mind that his Birthright was

his to keep or his to give away and

patriarchy doesn't mean that there are

no women with power think of Queen

Elizabeth or Oprah or maybe your own

very spunky Grandma these women do have

a lot of power but they don't have power

because they're women they have power in

spite of the fact that they're women

let's talk about that spunky grandma she

may rule the roost and everyone

including your grandpa May defer to her

in the family but if she happens to be a

member of a conservative religion for

example then it's likely that on her

wedding day she pledged obedience to her

husband husband and just in case you're

thinking that nobody pledges obedience

in wedding ceremonies anymore I attended

a wedding in 2022 where the husband

promised to love and cherish his wife

and the bride pledged to love and

cherish and Obey her husband now you may

be thinking okay sure maybe most

religions are patriarchal but even if

you're not religious almost every sector

in the secular world still has residual

patriarchy left over from thousands of

years of this ideology we might think of

it in terms of du and de facto in Latin

du means of law think of it like the

jury the jur and it means that an

attitude or a policy or a practice is

encoded in the law and de facto means of

fact in Latin so things that aren't

necessarily legal but happen anyway even

though certain attitudes or policies or

practices aren't necessarily legal

anymore they can persist for centuries

in our language in our attitudes in our

relationships I want to emphasize one

more thing that patriarchy doesn't mean

patriarchy does not mean that men are

bad or that women are good everybody has

good and bad traits individual human

beings are complicated and as I said

earlier many men would never be

misogynistic and they never ask to be in

charge and they themselves are harmed by

patriarchal structures remember

patriarchy simply means a system of

society or government which privileges

men so that they have power and it

excludes everyone else now if you've

ever seen patriarchy at play and you

have you might be wondering where it

came from or maybe even asking yourself

if it occurs all over the world is it

just part of human nature the answer is

even more intriguing than you might

think so join us on our next episode of

Breaking Down patriarchy how have you

experienced patriarchy in your life drop

a comment below we're eager to hear your

[Music]

stories

I'm so excited to share this work with

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