patriarchal
adj.adj. describing a society, family, or system where men hold most of the power and make the main decisions. It often refers to traditional structures where the father is the head of the group.
adj. relating to or characteristic of a social system in which power is primarily held by adult men. Often used in sociological contexts to describe structures where lineage and authority are traced through the male line.
Many ancient societies were strictly patriarchal.
The documentary explores how patriarchal traditions in the region have changed over the last century.
Scholars argue that the patriarchal nature of the legal system historically prevented women from owning property or seeking independent financial security.
Borrowed from Late Latin patriarchālis, from patriarcha + -ālis. Sychronically analyzable as patriarch + -al.
Typically used attributively before a noun like 'society', 'system', or 'values'.