It is important to recognize patriarchy as a system and not an individual identity because if we understand patriarchy to only be associated with identity then we will never truly understand what patriarchy is and patriarchal culture. Patriarchy is a system that encompasses the world as a whole; we can see patriarchy as a blueprint for society; a guideline to know what is accepted and appropriate and what is not. Patriarchy is best described as multilayered and multifaceted. Although individuals or groups of people can enact patriarchy we must still remember that patriarchy within the world is a system that has been present throughout past societies. If we just conform patriarchy to be ‘blamed’ on a specific group of people or one person then we will never truly not only acknowledge the real idea of patriarchy but we can’t work towards real change to end the outdated patriarchy system. 

Although we know patriarchy is a system, individuals enact patriarchy in their personal thoughts, interpersonal actions, as members of institutions, and in the structure of our culture. Patriarchy might work at levels such as personal, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural/structural and those levels influence one another. Patriarchy can work on a personal level based on beliefs about others and attitudes about differences between others. For example, the traditional belief that men are the head of the households throughout every hospital is a form of patriarchy. If one believes that men are the breadwinners, the handymans, and the protectors in every household, or specifically every family then that is a patriarchal way of thinking. When men believe that women are only meant to be housewives or stay at home moms instead of strong, independent, and hard-working leaders more specifically equal to men then that is a patriarchal way of thinking about women. Patriarchy can work on an interpersonal level; this is because patriarchy can impact actions and behaviors. For example, violence between a man and a woman, patriarchy can impact interpersonal relationships because it influences a variety of factors from the motives of violence, to cultural, to social; more specifically, gender inequality. Patriarchy can work on an institutional level. For example, in some areas in the world like Ohio, Kentucky, and Mississspi it is illegal to get an abortion after six weeks; most women don’t realize, notice, or find out they are pregnant by or before that time. Patriarchy exists on an institutional level in areas like this because those specific social systems in those areas throughout the world are oppressing women and their rights to have an abortion. People in power throughout those areas are speaking for women and making rules and regulations for women to abide by but most of these people passing these types of laws are men. Men that can never understand, grasp, or know the concept of pregnancy and what it is like to get pregnant, be pregnant, give birth, and raise children. Essentially, these are organizations within social systems that oppress people both intentionally and unintentionally. Patriarchy can definitely influence and be influenced by culture because it is shown every day through different social media platforms. On social media, both men and women need to look their best and be at the best points in their lives at all times.