Patriarchy refers to a system of power and domination that privileges men over women, and marginalized groups, and reinforces gender roles, and stereotypes that memorialize inequality. This system separates women from men by giving men more privileges and power than women. Women are looked down upon and treated differently from men. It controls what women can do from what they can’t do while men have the authority of power. There’s no equality between the two genders because of the patriarchal system. While patriarchy is a systemic issue, individuals play a crucial role in memorializing it at different levels. Here is a breakdown of how patriarchy might work at four different levels of oppression: patriarchal, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural level. 

Personal level: Patriarchy operates at the personal level through individual beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that reinforce gender roles and stereotypes. Patriarchy happens when household responsibilities are distributed unequally between men and women. For example, women are told to cook, clean, and do childcare, while men are not held to the same standards and don’t have the same expectations as women. Men are considered money makers and decision-makers in the relationship, while women must prioritize their spouse’s needs over their own.

 Interpersonal level: patriarchy operates at the interpersonal level through the way individuals interact with one another in their personal and professional relationships. Patriarchy can influence how men and women are viewed and treated by others, with women being stereotyped as emotional, weak, and irrational while men are more highly viewed as rational, logical, and strong. These assumptions could impact interpersonal relationships and interactions.

Institutional: Patriarchy operates at the institutional level through the policies and practices of organizations and institutions, such as schools, workplaces, and governments. An example of this is laws and policies that discriminate against women such as restrictions on reproductive rights and unequal pay. Patriarchy is seen in political representation where women are often underrepresented in decision-making positions. We see this problem all across the world where women face significant disadvantages from running for office, and men hold more positions of power. Another example of this is economic discrimination where women face unequal pay, job discrimination, and sexual harassment in a workplace with lowered pay. 

Cultural: Patriarchy operates at the cultural level through how cultural norms and values reinforce gender roles and stereotypes. Patricary is a representation that limits women’s opportunities and privileges men over women in the media, advertising, cultural practices, and popular culture. Patricary influences religious and cultural practices to reinforce gender-based inequalities that limit op opportunities for women to participate in society and make choices on their own. Examples of religious restrictions on women are not having access to education and employment.