Did you know that there is a society where female members lead? This is called the matriarchy and the female head of the family is called the matriarch. Indeed, most families or countries are ruled by men. But, there are cultures where women are in charge of things.
The concept of a society in which women govern political, social, and economic institutions may sound strange to some. However, matriarchal communities have in fact existed for centuries.
So, what is matriarchy? How does it function in society? Launching Stylecraze, let's find out more about matriarchy below.
The Importance of Matriarchy
Matriarchy is not a system in which women dominate and control men. According to Heidi Goettner-Abendroth, founder of the HAGIA International Academy for Modern Matriarchal Studies, the goal of matriarchy is not to have power over others, but to follow maternal values, such as preserving natural, social and cultural life, and mutual respect.
In other words, matriarchy is a system in which the mother or woman is at the top of the power structure. In order for the social system to be seen as matriarchal, cultural support is needed that defines women's domination as desirable and legitimate.
History of the Matriarchy
While researchers still question the existence of a true matriarchal society, there are some people who believe that humans used to implement this system. Known as the Gynocratic Age, women were revered for their ability to give birth.
The Gynocratic Age lasted from about two million years ago to 3,000 BC. Until finally a massive transformation occurs, because of a new breakthrough or a natural disaster that ultimately triggers patriarchy. Patriarchy itself is a social system that places men as the main power holders.
Archaeologists and researchers have found evidence to support the theory that a gynocratic or matriarchal society existed with the appearance of a goddess statue found in Central Turkey in the autumn of 2016. Some researchers conclude that the statue depicts a fertility goddess, others conclude that it is a prominent woman. by
Difference between Matriarchal and Matrilineal Society
The term matriarchy is often equated with the term matrilineal, even though these two terms have differences. Matriarchal refers to a society governed or controlled by women, while matrilineal refers to lineage only. For example, the children who will inherit the property will be identified through the line of descent from the mother.
What is Matrifocal?
A family can be considered matrifocal if the mother heads the family in the absence of the father. For example, a single parent family headed by a mother. It is considered matrifocal because the mother plays a more important role in the home and child care.
There are still a large proportion of intellectuals who reject the idea of matriarchy. Even so, matriarchy as a concept is certainly worth discussing and there is much we can learn from this system.