Crucible
Matriarchy and Patriarchy
Prepared by Paul A. MacAry and Greg D. Petersen
Patriarchy is simply "rule of the father," matriarchy the "rule of the mother." In a true patriarchal or matriarchal society, this applies only to the family or an extended family or tribe. Unfortunately, there is much this ambiguity and miss-use of the two words. Perhaps the best way to address these two is to look specifically into the animal kingdom. We have already compared the Common and Bonobo Chimpanzees, and both serve as excellent examples. Two of the most famous matriarchal animals are the orca, also commonly known as killer whales, and elephants. In both, a Matriarch leads the community.
An elephant matriarch is typically the largest and/or oldest female, and typically a direct relative of the previous matriarch. While all in the herd are related, there is no power struggle to choose the next matriarch. The position is earned through cooperation and respect. All in the herd look to her for decisions, especially in stressful situations. When a matriarch is replaced, it occurs in a democratic fashion. This may happen if a decision needs to be made and another female feels the need to disagree and presents an alternative. The rest of the herd must choose which course they will follow. Rather than thinking of the matriarch as a position of "power" in the male sense, it is better to think of the matriarch as the female that is most "motherly," demonstrated by caring wisely for the rising generation and showing compassion to members of the herd. A herd is typically three generations, and the only males in the herd are youth. Females are taught by their mothers and aunts how to care for calves.
Male elephants live with their mothers until they are about eight to sixteen years old. The older a male becomes, the more independent he becomes from his mother and the herd. He will do this by straying away from the herd for progressively longer periods, and will often join other bachelors in
Prepared by Paul A. MacAry and Greg D. Petersen
Patriarchy is simply "rule of the father," matriarchy the "rule of the mother." In a true patriarchal or matriarchal society, this applies only to the family or an extended family or tribe. Unfortunately, there is much this ambiguity and miss-use of the two words. Perhaps the best way to address these two is to look specifically into the animal kingdom. We have already compared the Common and Bonobo Chimpanzees, and both serve as excellent examples. Two of the most famous matriarchal animals are the orca, also commonly known as killer whales, and elephants. In both, a Matriarch leads the community.
An elephant matriarch is typically the largest and/or oldest female, and typically a direct relative of the previous matriarch. While all in the herd are related, there is no power struggle to choose the next matriarch. The position is earned through cooperation and respect. All in the herd look to her for decisions, especially in stressful situations. When a matriarch is replaced, it occurs in a democratic fashion. This may happen if a decision needs to be made and another female feels the need to disagree and presents an alternative. The rest of the herd must choose which course they will follow. Rather than thinking of the matriarch as a position of "power" in the male sense, it is better to think of the matriarch as the female that is most "motherly," demonstrated by caring wisely for the rising generation and showing compassion to members of the herd. A herd is typically three generations, and the only males in the herd are youth. Females are taught by their mothers and aunts how to care for calves.
Male elephants live with their mothers until they are about eight to sixteen years old. The older a male becomes, the more independent he becomes from his mother and the herd. He will do this by straying away from the herd for progressively longer periods, and will often join other bachelors in