Definition of Patriarchy

Hello! A few times in the videos, I’ve heard Stephanie talk about Patriarchy. Would you be able to define patriarchy and explain how that has impacted women’s body perspectives? I’m just a little unclear on the connection. Thanks!Hello! A few times in the videos, I’ve heard Stephanie talk about Patriarchy. Would you be able to define patriarchy and explain how that has impacted women’s body perspectives? I’m just a little unclear on the connection. Thanks!

ANSWER

Hello! This is a foundational question, and I’m glad you asked it.

Patriarchy is a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it.

Patriarchy is associated with a set of ideas, a patriarchal ideology that acts to explain and justify this dominance and attributes it to inherent natural differences between men and women.

Western societies have been under a patriarchal societal system for the last 2500-3000 years. The shift in societal structure is mainly associated with change in spiritual beliefs.

Patriarchy as a need to uphold men in a situation of power thus require women to be in a situation of subordination.

As women began to claim back power in the mid 1850’s (right to own land at first and then right to vote), diet culture was created. At first, focus on beauty standards and then moved into body size, diet culture is keeping women focused on their body instead of claiming back more power from patriarchy.

In your third month inside Conquer and Thrive, you will have a class, “Women Body and Power” that will deep dive into this more. In the meantime, if you wish to listen to Stephanie speak about this, listen to her podcast released on May 26, 2020 “PRO SERIES: FEMINISM & DIET CULTURE”.

Hope this helps!