Patrichary is the term for a social system that first came into existence about 10 thousand years ago around the time of the agricultural revolution. It's a dominance-based hierarchy where place in the pecking order is determined by zero-sum metrics - if you don't win, you lose. It not only fosters constant competition with those around you, it is built on a social pyramid where those with more social clout can only maintain that position by keeping those who are weaker and have less in their place closer to the bottom of the pyramid. This is done via bullying, threats of violence, coercion, shaming and other structural elements such as the laws that we had up until 50 years ago that kept anyone but white men from having an equal chance at opportunity.
If you'd like to learn more about how this factors not only into gender dynamics, but things like racism, homophobia, and other types of discrimination, read here:
