Patriarchy and sexism:

understanding the challenging

challenging
systems of oppression
oppression
 PATRIARCHY

Patriarchy is a system where men hold power in society, especially in politics and family
life, while women and marginalized groups are often in lesser roles. It connects with
sexism, which is discrimination based on gender. Patriarchy allows sexism to thrive, and
both must be challenged to create a more equal society.
CHARACTERISTICS
CHARACTERISTICS OF
OF PATRIARCHY
PATRIARCHY
Male dominance Male identification Male-centered
Men are often seen as Men are viewed as
strong, rational, and the central figures
the men make all the competitive, while women driving society
decisions and in total are viewed as soft,
forward, seen as the
control. emotional, and nurturing,
focus and heroes of
leading to the idea that
men are superior to all important events
women. and developments.
 WHAT MEN CONTROL IN THE PATRIARCHAL SYSTEM

Men oversee women's labor, often undervaluing

PRODUCTIVE POWER their work at home and in paid jobs, limiting

women's job opportunities and income.

Men frequently control women's reproductive

rights, dictating decisions about childbirth, while
REPRODUCTION women bear the responsibility of raising children.

Men have significant influence over women's

sexual behavior, with women often expected to
SEXUALITY meet men's desires and follow strict societal
conduct.

Men restrict women's freedom to move and

MOBILITY interact, prioritizing family duties over
women's autonomy.

Men control most wealth and property, with

PROPERTY AND ECONOMIC societal norms often preventing women from
RESOURCES accessing or inheriting resources.
 TIMELINE: DEVELOPMENT AND EVOLUTION
OF THE PATRIARCHAL SYSTEM
PERIOD DESCRIPTION
Patriarchal system's origins trace back to prehistoric times with the development of agricultural
PRE HISTORIC
societies around 12,000 years ago (Hunter, 1988).

Patriarchal attitudes solidified around 1,000 years ago during the Bronze Age with the rise of complex
BRONZE AGE civilizations, systems of government, religion, and law.

Men dominated governance and women were excluded from political and economic systems,
CLASSICAL
reinforcing patriarchal norms.

In medieval Europe, feudal systems and Catholic Church teachings deepened patriarchy, while in
MEDIEVAL
China, women were confined to domestic roles.

The Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution introduced progressive ideas that challenged
ENLIGHTMENT
the patriarchal system.

Despite advances like women's voting rights and equal pay laws, patriarchal attitudes still
20TH CENTURY
persist, maintaining gender inequality worldwide.
 the entrenchment of
patriarchy in society
Patriarchy began with the rise of agricultural societies around 12,000
years ago, when men took on dominant roles to protect possessions. This male
dominance was reinforced during the Bronze Age with the development of
civilizations, governments, and religions. Early civilizations like Mesopotamia,
Egypt, and China institutionalized patriarchy, shaping gender roles for
centuries. Despite reforms over time, patriarchal systems still persist today,
continuing to influence gender inequality. Understanding these origins is key to
addressing modern gender issues and working toward equality.
 MESOPOTAMIA INDUS VALLEY
Patriarchy emerged around The Indus Valley civilization
3500 BC in ancient civilizations (circa 7000-600 BCE) spanned
like Sumer and Babylon. Egypt parts of modern Afghanistan,
was slightly less patriarchal, Pakistan, and northwest India.
where some women held While the social structure was
power, though this was influenced by a caste system, the
uncommon. Cleopatra, a role of women remains unclear.
Some evidence suggests that
notable female ruler, is often
women could own property and
misrepresented due to
run businesses, but the
patriarchal biases, which undeciphered writing and lack of
downplay her accomplishments records limit our understanding
and focus on her sexuality. of their social status.
 CHINA EUROPE

In ancient China, women were Patriarchy became entrenched during

the Classical period (600 BCE to 600
largely unequal to men, who
CE) as men held power and inherited
dominated positions of power. property, while women's roles were
Their status peaked during the mainly as mothers. This continued
Tang dynasty but declined with through the medieval and Renaissance
periods, with religious teachings
the introduction of foot binding,
reinforcing male authority. Although
which restricted their mobility. the Enlightenment and Industrial
While the Cultural Revolution Revolution brought some change,
brought some progress for women remained largely excluded from
power. The 20th century saw a rise in
gender equality, the women's
the women’s rights movement, leading
movement had inconsistent to legal reforms. However, patriarchal
effects on women's status attitudes and gender inequality persist
overall. globally, with progress varying by
community.
THE POWER OF THE CHURCH
The Catholic Church is often highlighted in
discussions of patriarchy and sexism due to its
significant role in reinforcing these attitudes during the
medieval and Renaissance periods in Europe. While
many religions have patriarchal elements, the Church's
political, economic, and cultural power allowed it to
entrench patriarchal structures through its teachings
and practices, influencing societies worldwide and
continuing to impact attitudes today.
 THE SHIFT TO DOMINANCE With the rise of agriculture, men typically took on
physically demanding tasks like plowing, while women
DIVISION OF LABOR focused on nurturing and childcare. This division may
have led to the establishment of patriarchal attitudes.

Agriculture enabled the accumulation of wealth,

primarily controlled by men. This control likely
CONTROL OVER RESOURCES reinforced their dominant roles in families and
communities.

Some suggest patriarchal structures stem from

EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY evolutionary psychology, where men are seen as
naturally inclined to compete for power and control.

Cultural beliefs about gender roles, emphasizing male

dominance, may have been passed down through
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL FACTORS generations, solidifying patriarchal systems in
society.
SEXISM: DISCRIMINATION BASED ON ONE’S GENDER OR SEX

Sex refers to biological traits, while gender relates to social roles. Sexism is
discrimination based on sex or gender, often rooted in patriarchal views that
see women as inferior to men.

Research on chimpanzees shows similar male dominance, where males control

resources and assert power over females. Patrilocal residence emerged with
agriculture, reinforcing male authority and dividing labor along gender lines.

In agricultural societies, men shifted from hunting to resource protection,

consolidating their power while women remained in nurturing roles. This
created a power imbalance favoring men. The term "sexism" became prominent
in the 1960s during the women's liberation movement, aiming to raise
awareness of women's oppression and maintain male dominance through
societal beliefs and practices.
 MODERN SEXISM

TYPES OF SEXISM This contemporary belief claims that gender equality is

achieved, dismissing complaints about sexism as mere
hostility towards men. Key beliefs include:
Sexism is no longer an issue.
OLD-FASHIONED SEXISM
Women's support programs are unnecessary.
This overt belief asserts men's Women who voice concerns about sexism are
troublemakers.
superiority over women, as
exemplified by Aristotle’s
statement that men are natural
rulers and women are subjects. AMBIVALENT
BENEVOLENT SEXISM
SEXISM
This view idealizes women This mixed perspective
HOSTILE SEXISM as pure and moral, holds that some women
This attitude involves contempt for advocating for their deserve respect while
women, viewing them as treatment as "princesses." others do not, depending
manipulative and believing that While it appears on personal biases. It
their fight for equality aims to supportive, it is combines elements of
usurp men's power. Hostile sexists condescending and benevolent and hostile
favor submissive women and reinforces male superiority. sexism.
criticize feminists.
INSTITUTIONAL SEXISM
Institutional sexism refers to the systematic discrimination and
inequality based on sex or gender that is embedded within the policies,
practices, and norms of social institutions

1. STRUCTURAL INEQUALITIES
2. CULTURAL NORMS
3. LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK
4. MICROAGGRESSIONS

In the Workplace: Institutional sexism is prevalent, with professions

like receptionists and teachers predominantly held by women, while
roles like surgeons and pilots are mostly occupied by men. This leads
to the "Glass Ceiling," where women face barriers to promotion and
higher positions.
INSTITUTIONAL SEXISM
At Home: Traditional gender roles assign household responsibilities primarily to women,
who often engage in unpaid labor alongside their paid jobs. This phenomenon is known as
the "second shift," where women manage household chores and childcare after their
formal employment, a burden not equally expected of men.

In Politics: Gender disparity in political representation is notable globally. In the

Philippines, only two out of 17 presidents have been female, reflecting broader trends of
male dominance in political leadership.

In the Military: While women have historically participated in the armed struggle in the
Philippines, they remain underrepresented in the military today, with most military
personnel being men. Women's participation in armed forces is often limited worldwide.
 effects on mental health
Mental health encompasses psychological, emotional, and social well-being
(WHO, 2022). Patriarchy and sexist systems adversely affect mental health,
Let’s Share It
particularly for marginalized individuals:

To promote mental
Women often face gender-based violence, discrimination, and harassment, leading health, it is essential to
to mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Gender roles challenge patriarchal
can also contribute to low self-esteem and body image issues. and sexist systems and
advocate for equality
and inclusivity.

LGBTQ+ individuals experience stigma, discrimination, and hate crimes, Supporting

which can lead to family rejection, isolation, and mental health struggles marginalized
individuals and raising
like depression and anxiety.
mental health
awareness can help
reduce stigma and
Racial and ethnic minorities encounter racism and microaggressions, resulting encourage those in
need to seek help.
in anger, frustration, and low self-esteem, increasing the risk of mental health
issues.
 Impacts of Patriarchal and
Impacts and Sexist
Sexist
Systems
Systems on Mental Health
Criteria EFFECTS ON MENTAL HEALTH

Gender-based violence, discrimination, sexual harassment, pressure to conform to

WOMEN gender roles and expectations, low self-esteem, body image issues, depression,
anxiety, PTSD

LGBTQ+ Stigma, discrimination, hate crimes, rejection from families and communities,
INDIVIDUALS struggles with identity, isolation, depression, anxiety

RACIAL AND
Racism, discrimination, microaggression, feelings of anger, frustration, low
ETHNIC
MINORITIES
self-esteem, depression, anxiety, PTSD
 effects on PHYSICAL health
Physical health refers to the overall condition of the body, encompassing fitness and the absence of
illness. Patriarchal and sexist systems significantly impact physical health, particularly for women and
marginalized groups:

Gender-Based Violence:
Limited Healthcare Access:
Victims of intimate partner violence and
In low-income countries, these systems can
sexual assault often suffer physical
restrict access to healthcare due to cultural
norms, financial constraints, or mobility issues,
injuries, trauma, and sexually transmitted
leading to untreated illnesses and a lack of infections, leading to long-term health
preventative care. consequences.

Reproductive Health:
Social Determinants of Health:
Restrictions on reproductive health services,
Patriarchy contributes to broader issues
such as contraception and prenatal care, can
result in unintended pregnancies, unsafe
like poverty, lack of education, and
abortions, and high maternal and infant unsafe living conditions, increasing the
mortality rates. risk of chronic diseases and infections.
Impacts of Patriarchal and Sexist
Sexist
Systems on PHYSICAL Health
HEALTH
HEALTHCARE ISSUE EFFECTS ON PHYSICAL HEALTH
Women and marginalized groups face healthcare barriers due to cultural norms,
LIMITED ACCESS TO
financial issues, and limited mobility, leading to untreated illnesses and fewer
HEALTHCARE
preventative care options.

Restricted access to reproductive health services results in unintended

REPRODUCTIVE
pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and higher maternal and infant mortality rates,
HEALTH
as well as worsened conditions like sexually transmitted infections.

GENDER-BASED These groups often experience physical injury and trauma, leading to
VIOLENCE long-term health issues
SOCIAL
Patriarchy and sexist systems contribute to poverty and limited resources,
DETERMINANTS OF
increasing the risk of chronic diseases and injuries.
HEALTH
 Patriarchy and sexism

Thank you for listening