Can anyone explain the basics of patriarchy?

[poshsinglemum]

Do we really live in a patriarchy nowadays as so amny of us mums are going it alone. Is the fact that we are demonised for doing so evidence of living in a patriarchy.
Is marriage a product of patriarchy or is it just a sweet romantic declaration of love.
I'd love to get married but why do I feel so disillusioned with men and the dating scene.
As a women in this generation I was supposed to have it all but I didn't get the man. If I am a feminist should this bother me? Am I in denial?

I sometimes feel that the reason that I am a feminist because I have been treated badly by men. I find that quite sad. Would we need feminism if we were consistently treated with respect?

[poshsinglemum]

sorry typos

[Sakura]

You've GOT to order "Sexual Politics" for yourself for Christmas. I recently picked it up and dusted it off to quote from it on a thread and I haven't been able to put it down.
In fact, I could be wrong, but I think it was Kate Millet (the author) who consolidated the concept of patriarchy.

Basically, we live under a regime like a communist regime, or a muslim regime. It's a patriarchal regime. All financial, political and judicial institutions are firmly in the hands of men. The army, the media, all institutions are run by men, and reflect their world view.
WOmen have a miniscule amount of power by comparison, and to the bulk of the unpaid or low-paid labour. UNder capitalism, women have been the reserve labour ( times of war, in factories etc)
The regime remains in power the way any regime does. Psychological and economic oppression plus force.

[Sakura]

I'm married, it's okay but it ain't all that. If you read "Wifework" by SUsan Maushart, you won't want to get married

[KittyFloss]

You just need to look around to realise we live in a patriarchy. It's not a conspiracy, it's (whatever is the opposite of conspiracy ). There are honestly so many Men too who are fed up with the current set up, if anything is to change, we would need to join forces with the disillusioned men too.

[Sakura]

the problem is there aren't enough disillusioned men. If men as a group wanted it to change, the system wouldn't last half a day