Patriarchy is a form of society in which the father is the supreme authority in the family and decent is reckoned through the male line. Strong patriarchy combined with familialism is the family type typical of Indian culture. We have no examples of strong matriarchy; the full opposite of strong patriarchy does not exist. We can, however, in our imagination find a mid point between strong patriarchy and strong matriarchy. This mid point might be called either weak patriarchy or weak matriarchy.

In this study we use the term weak patriarchy to define to this mid point in gender power relationships---gender equity which recognizes the importance of families. We contrast the weak patriarchy of Kerala with the strong patriarchy of the family structures of India generally. In this difference, strong patriarchy includes patrilineal decent and patrilocality, and weak patriarchy includes matrilineal decent and matrilocality.  Partilocality refers to residence of children in the household controled and managed by the father, and matrilocality refers to the residence of children in the household controled and managed by the mother.

(Directory)  March 20, 2000