Patriarchy and patriarchal

DEFINITION

The social dominance of the father-- their rule as heads of families, and the preference given to males in descent and inheritance. Feminism sees patriarchy as more pervasive, and as oppressive to women. The opposite of patriarchy is matriarchy. Each is a form of sexism.Also see androcentrism, feminist art, gender issues, political correctness, pornography, sex, world-view, xenophilia, xenophobia, and zeitgeist.