To what extent can gender inequality be explained in terms of the concept of patriarchy
Patriarchy is a social system in which the father is the head of the family and men have authority over women and children. ... Many people see the age-old ‘tradition’ of patriarchy as the main reason why this occurs, especially feminists. ... Radical feminists blame the whole idea of gender inequality solely on men, who exploit women for all that they are worth. The feminists disagree on some areas, more importantly whether gender inequality has anything to do with out biology, or whether it is purely a product of our culture. ... They see capitalism, rather than patriarchy as being the principal source of women’s oppression, and capitalists as the main beneficiaries. ... They explain gender inequality as not lying so much in the structures and institutions of our societies, but more in our culture and the attitude of individuals. The concept of patriarchy has a strong influence on why feminists think the way that they do. According to Sylvia Walby, the feminist writer, the concept of patriarchy must remain central to a feminist understanding of society. She says, “Patriarchy is indispensable for an analysis of gender inequality”.