Patriarchy

<p ><b>Patriarchy</b>&nbsp;is a social system in which the male acts as the primary authority figure&nbsp;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androcentrism" title="Androcentrism" >central</a>&nbsp;to social organization, and where fathers hold authority over women, children, and property. It implies the institutions of male rule and privilege, and entails female subordination. Many patriarchal societies are also&nbsp;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrilineal" title="Patrilineal" class="mw-redirect" >patrilineal</a>, meaning that property and title are inherited by the male lineage. The female equivalent is&nbsp;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matriarchy" title="Matriarchy" >matriarchy</a>.

Historically, patriarchy has manifested itself in the social, legal, political, and economic organization of a range of different cultures. Patriarchy also has a strong influence on modern civilization, although many cultures have moved towards a more egalitarian social system over the past century.<sup id="cite_ref-0" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchy#cite_note-0" >[1]</a></sup></p>