Understanding Patriarchy: Sylvia Walby’s Insights

Dr. Esha Chatterjee

Assistant Professor, Sociology

Kalinga University, Raipur

Within the vast spectrum of feminist thought, patriarchy stands out as a unifying thread. This concept, broadly understood as the dominance of men and the perpetuation of such a societal structure, serves as the pivotal point of Sylvia Walby’s work. While her scholarly pursuits extend beyond the confines of gender studies to encompass fields like Social Theory, Political Science, Industrial Sociology, and Globalization, she is mainly popular for her revolutionary gender-conscious analysis of society. In fact, Walby’s groundbreaking understandings were so impactful that she became the inaugural recipient of the UNESCO Chair of Gender Research in 2008.

Walby questions both proponents and critics of Socialist and Marxist Feminism by suggesting that the relationship between patriarchy and capitalism demands a nuanced examination. She argues against viewing this relationship in binary and simplistic terms, and instead  advocating for an approach which embraces complexity and acknowledges the intricacies involved. She draws attention to instances, like increased women’s participation during the First and Second World Wars, where patriarchy did not necessarily profit, while capitalism did. This highlights the requirement to recognize the multifaceted nature of the connection, which outspreads beyond conventional understanding.

Walby offers a definition of patriarchy as a system of social practices and structures where men control, coerce, and exploit women. Contrary to sanctioning the argumentative notion of a singular, all-inclusive form of patriarchy, Walby suggests that patriarchy functions through a more complex instrument comprising six different structures. Instead of promising to the notion that there is one overarching form of patriarchy, Walby argues that patriarchy works in a more intricate manner through six separate structures.

Firstly, household production relations: At home, women are expected to work without compensation, pleasing the demands set by their husbands.

Secondly, paid labour: Women in the labor force often face unfair pay, unequal treatment, and are frequently downgraded to less challenging roles compared to their male counterparts.

Thirdly, the influence of the patriarchal state: States can integrally oppress women through policies and laws, reflecting a societal prejudice that favours men.

Fourthly, male violence: Violence committed by men against women is not random or isolated. Rather, it functions within structured and universal patterns. When governments fail to take pivotal action beyond mere condemnation, they unconsciously perpetuate such violence through inaction.

Fifthly, patriarchal undercurrents in sexuality: Social norms and prospects regarding sexual behaviour vary significantly between genders, reflecting inadequate power dynamics.

Sixthly, patriarchal cultural institutions: Various social institutions, including religion, media  and education broadcast and sustain portrayals of women from a patriarchal viewpoint. Such portrayals influence women’s perceptions of femininity and contribute to the perpetuation of patriarchal norms.

According to Walby, two different forms of patriarchy are evident in society: private patriarchy and public patriarchy. Private patriarchy runs within the confines of the household, where a single patriarch (classically the dominant male) exercises control and oppression over subordinate females. Walby contends that this serves as a means of barring, preventing women from participating in public discourse. Public patriarchy demonstrates in the public sphere, mainly in the realm of employment. At this point, oppressive forces continue, with women collectively experiencing greater hindrances to power, wealth, and influence compared to men, as suggested by Walby. She contends that there has been a change in patriarchal dynamics in the Western context. While private patriarchy was once more predominant than its public counterpart, domination of women within a male-centric social framework is now gradually more evident in the public domain.

Hence, Walby has consolidated various strands of feminism and given a cohesive analysis. She argues posits that patriarchy manifests in six distinct forms.  She contends that two primary forms of patriarchy exist- private and public. While she acknowledges progressions in overcoming private patriarchy, she asserts that public patriarchy continues as a significant societal force.

References:

Giddens, A. (2009) Sociology. Cambridge: Polity Press.

Walby, S. (1990) Theorizing Patriarchy. Oxford: Blackwell.