The word "patricentric" refers to a system or society that is focused or dominated by men or fathers. It is pronounced as [pəˌtrɪˈsɛntrɪk], with stress on the third syllable. The word begins with the prefix "patri-" which means father, followed by the root word "centric" which means centered or focused on. The spelling of "patricentric" is logical and follows the standard rules of English spelling. The word is commonly used in feminist discussions and critiques of patriarchy.
Patricentric refers to a socio-cultural system or ideology that is predominantly centered around, controlled by, or favors men, particularly those from privileged social classes or families. This term is derived from the combination of the words "patri" meaning father or male authority figure, and "centric" meaning centered or focused.
In a patricentric society, power, authority, and decision-making are mostly concentrated in the hands of men. Men hold key positions in politics, economics, religion, and other influential spheres of society, while women typically have limited access to these realms. This system often perpetuates gender inequalities, as it reinforces traditional gender roles and expectations that regard men as superior and women as subordinate.
A patricentric society may validate and maintain male dominance through various means, such as gender-based divisions of labor, discriminatory laws and policies, and ingrained societal norms that limit women's autonomy and advancement. This can result in women facing obstacles to accessing education, employment opportunities, and leadership roles.
Critics argue that a patricentric system perpetuates sexism, reinforces gender stereotypes, and serves to suppress the voices and needs of women. Efforts to challenge and overcome patricentric structures and attitudes often involve initiatives to promote gender equality, empower women, and challenge existing power dynamics in order to create more inclusive and equitable societies.
The word "patricentric" is derived from two roots: "patri" and "centric".
The root "patri" is derived from the Latin word "pater" which means "father". It is commonly used in English words related to paternal or fatherly aspects. For example, "patriarch" refers to the male head of a family or tribe, and "paternity" refers to fatherhood.
The second root, "centric", comes from the Greek word "kentrikos" which means "center". In English, "centric" is often used to describe something or someone that is centered or focused on a particular thing. For example, "egocentric" refers to being self-centered, and "geocentric" refers to the belief that the Earth is the center of the universe.