Every society across the globe has been greatly impacted by gendered societal frameworks over time. Two most distinct frameworks ; the patriarchy and the matriarchy , offer contrasting views on leadership, patrilineality, and social structuring. While patriarchy has long enjoyed most prominence, matriarchal frameworks provide alternate models for leadership and kinships. Both these dynamics in Pakistan are deeply woven into desi culture's fabric and resonate across all realms such as domestic situations, media portrayal, marriage system, and politics.
Patriarchy: The Dominant System
Patriarchy is a social system where men largely hold leadership in political governance, ethical leadership, and property ownership. Patriarchy is such a dominant paradigm in most parts of the world, such as in Pakistan, where patriarchal norms deeply permeate the social system.
Features
v Father-to-son transmission and perpetuation of family name
v Fathers as heads of households
v Roles that advocate male dominance
v Social conventions about women's modesty and submission
IN PAKISTAN
v Family Dynamics: The oldest male tends to make important decisions, from money matters to spousal arrangements.
v Marriage Practices: Arranged marriages are common, and women expect to move to their husband's compound.
v Workplace & Politics: There is yet underrepresentation among women in leadership roles.
v Media Influence: Tele dramas tend to depict women as victims or carers and maintain social roles.
Matriarchy: A Novel Perspective
Matriarchy, though unusual, is a system wherein women and in particular, mothers- of these societies have important positions of authority and descent. While not having such formalized societies in Pakistan, one has glimpses of matriarchal authority in less formalized settings at homes.
Features
v Matrilineal descent (rare among Pakistan)
v They serve as moral and emotional centers in the family system.
v Focus on fostering, cooperation, and social relationships.
v Increased autonomy in decision-making in domestic affairs.
IN PAKISTANI DESI CULTURE
v Mother Figures: Often women have strong emotional authority and influence familial choices through indirect channels.
v Women’s Networks: Informal female-led support systems thrive in neighborhoods and extended families.
v Cultural Icons: Strong women from books and movies (e.g., Bano from Razia Butt's novels) defy patriarchal conventions.
Pakistani Culture: A Complex Mosaic
The desi culture of Pakistan is a vibrant tapestry of tradition, religion, and regional distinction. Patriarchy and covert matriarchal resistance coexist.
Cultural Contradictions
Honor vs Autonomy: Women are considered honor carriers for families, although many accomplish this without fanfare through education and enterprises.
City-Rural Divide: Women from cities are exposed to more education and employment opportunities, and towns usually have stricter patriarchal laws.
Religious Interpretations: Though Islam emphasizes respecting justice and women, cultural norms sometimes misrepresent these instructions and thus consolidate male authority.
Day-to-Day Experience
A woman could manage all household expenses without necessarily deferring to her husband in public contexts.
The grandmothers usually enjoy seniority over familial tradition and child-rearing despite patriarchal homes.
v NGOs and feminist activism (e.g., Aurat March) are reframing narratives regarding gender and power.
Rethinking Power: Beyond Binary Models
Instead of opting for patriarchy or matriarchy, most scholars and activists promote egalitarianism ;a system in which authority is divided irrespective of gender. For Pakistan, it would involve defying outdated customs without violating cultural principles.
Indicators of Change:
Increased female literacy and university attendance
Women entering politics, journalism, and technology
Right-wing movements objecting to gender roles
Films with strong feminine characters
In Short, Patriarchy and matriarchy are not theories, but lived realities that create identity, opportunity, and relationships. The struggle between change and tradition is real in desi culture in Pakistan. While voices will become louder for equality and fairness, the future will not be one system's or the other's but one where all individuals, without discrimination by gender, will have been able to flourish.
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