Patriarchy - Feminist Theory

Feminist Theory

Most forms of feminism characterize patriarchy as an unjust social system that is oppressive to women. As feminist and political theorist Carole Pateman writes, "The patriarchal construction of the difference between masculinity and femininity is the political difference between freedom and subjection." In feminist theory the concept of patriarchy often includes all the social mechanisms that reproduce and exert male dominance over women. Feminist theory typically characterizes patriarchy as a social construction, which can be overcome by revealing and critically analyzing its manifestations.

An important question to ask is "why does patriarchy persist"? The answer, claims Richard Lewotin, Steven Rose and Leon Kamin, in their article The Determined Patriarchy, is perhaps because throughout society, tradition has carried it on. People have had gendered biases simply since others around them have set apart a social standard for people to follow. For instance, an American doctor said that women cannot make rational decisions during their menopausal periods. This claim cloaks the fact that men also have periods of time where they can be aggressive and irrational and coveys the textured persona that society has towards women. Their biological traits, such as their ability to get pregnant, is often used against them as a form of weakness. However, even as biology is used against women, it is often that the perceived biological bias towards them is not even correct. An example of this is how scientists used to believe that female brain sizes were smaller than male brain sizes, so as a result, they were not as intellectually competent as men. However, as more women began to go into the field of crainiology, it was soon discovered that womens' brain sizes are proportionate to their bodies and a result of this study, it became apparent that they were equal to a man's. Lewotin and company therefore assert that the patriarchy persists through social and political reasons rather than purely scientific reasons. The Determined Patriarchy reflects feminist concerns for the future of patriarchy and how to rid society of it by killing the source.