Notes: Patriarchal Bargain | Sociology Mains Optional for UPSC 2024 PDF Download

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Patriarchal Bargain 
What is Patriarchy? 
o Patriarchy, as we look at it in broader terms, gives men more privilege, power 
and preference than women.  
o is not something that came into existence yesterday; rather it has been going 
on since ages. It tends to give men the authority over women and the power 
to control.  
o The patriarchal system is so well rooted in our society that all we need to do 
to see it is just ‘open our eyes.’ 
One of the classic examples of patriarchy in our society is the patrilineal family 
organization seen around the world. In this system the paternal descent i.e. the 
male’s family is taken into consideration while determining various social 
provisions and privileges. 
And while society had just started to fathom the extent to which it is spread in our 
system, another term came to the forefront, Patriarchal bargain.  
When women are tied in the shackles of patriarchy, face constraint and a 
controlling environment, it leads them to manipulate patriarchy for their personal 
gains. They try to strategize and bargain with patriarchy, hence the term 
patriarchal bargain. 
Patriarchal Bargain, the study 
o The term ‘Patriarchal Bargain’ was introduced by Deniz Kandiyoti in her 
1988 article, “Bargaining with Patriarchy.”  
o In her study, she illustrates two types of male dominance with  
(i)one example from sub Saharan Africa and the other  
(ii) from Middle east, South Asia, and East Asia.  
o The case of the sub Saharan Africa shows the instances of women resisting 
the attempts made to lower their value of labor. Polygyny being the major 
insecurity for African women, they work hard to maintain and even 
maximize the existing autonomy. 
 
 
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Patriarchal Bargain 
What is Patriarchy? 
o Patriarchy, as we look at it in broader terms, gives men more privilege, power 
and preference than women.  
o is not something that came into existence yesterday; rather it has been going 
on since ages. It tends to give men the authority over women and the power 
to control.  
o The patriarchal system is so well rooted in our society that all we need to do 
to see it is just ‘open our eyes.’ 
One of the classic examples of patriarchy in our society is the patrilineal family 
organization seen around the world. In this system the paternal descent i.e. the 
male’s family is taken into consideration while determining various social 
provisions and privileges. 
And while society had just started to fathom the extent to which it is spread in our 
system, another term came to the forefront, Patriarchal bargain.  
When women are tied in the shackles of patriarchy, face constraint and a 
controlling environment, it leads them to manipulate patriarchy for their personal 
gains. They try to strategize and bargain with patriarchy, hence the term 
patriarchal bargain. 
Patriarchal Bargain, the study 
o The term ‘Patriarchal Bargain’ was introduced by Deniz Kandiyoti in her 
1988 article, “Bargaining with Patriarchy.”  
o In her study, she illustrates two types of male dominance with  
(i)one example from sub Saharan Africa and the other  
(ii) from Middle east, South Asia, and East Asia.  
o The case of the sub Saharan Africa shows the instances of women resisting 
the attempts made to lower their value of labor. Polygyny being the major 
insecurity for African women, they work hard to maintain and even 
maximize the existing autonomy. 
 
 
 
 
o She points out that in this society; it is women who are majorly responsible 
for taking care of the children, their upbringing which includes their 
education. 
o The second type she talks about is the one that exists in the Muslim Middle 
East (including Turkey, Pakistan, and Iran), and South and East Asia 
(specifically, India and China). This she terms as ‘Classic Patriarchy.’ 
These above given two types are in stark contrast to each other. 
Example 
She exemplifies classic patriarchy by explaining the typical practice of how girls are 
married off at a young age and given away to their husband’s household, which is 
headed by his father. This is the situation where the girl is subordinate to all the 
men and even the elder women of this new household.  
She says, “unlike women in sub-Saharan Africa who attempt to resist unfavorable 
labor relations in the household, women in areas of classic patriarchy often adhere 
as far and as long as they possibly can to rules that result in the unfailing 
devaluation of their labor.”  
To sustain in this type of a system, women, in the areas where classic patriarchy 
exists, start manipulating, negotiating and bargaining with men and the systems of 
patriarchy.  
Patriarchal bargain, as the name suggests, is the way women adjust and manipulate 
this existing system, for their personal gains and benefits.  
Kandiyoti explains how a mother-in-law, who was once a bride herself, was 
subordinate to everyone in her new family. And due to the cyclical nature of their 
power in family structure, she takes over that role herself once her daughter-in-law 
comes into the picture. 
So, in a way, it becomes a decision which is taken by the women where they accept 
gender rules, which are not advantageous to and are rather disadvantageous to 
other women. 
Reasons for patriarchal bargain:- 
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Patriarchal Bargain 
What is Patriarchy? 
o Patriarchy, as we look at it in broader terms, gives men more privilege, power 
and preference than women.  
o is not something that came into existence yesterday; rather it has been going 
on since ages. It tends to give men the authority over women and the power 
to control.  
o The patriarchal system is so well rooted in our society that all we need to do 
to see it is just ‘open our eyes.’ 
One of the classic examples of patriarchy in our society is the patrilineal family 
organization seen around the world. In this system the paternal descent i.e. the 
male’s family is taken into consideration while determining various social 
provisions and privileges. 
And while society had just started to fathom the extent to which it is spread in our 
system, another term came to the forefront, Patriarchal bargain.  
When women are tied in the shackles of patriarchy, face constraint and a 
controlling environment, it leads them to manipulate patriarchy for their personal 
gains. They try to strategize and bargain with patriarchy, hence the term 
patriarchal bargain. 
Patriarchal Bargain, the study 
o The term ‘Patriarchal Bargain’ was introduced by Deniz Kandiyoti in her 
1988 article, “Bargaining with Patriarchy.”  
o In her study, she illustrates two types of male dominance with  
(i)one example from sub Saharan Africa and the other  
(ii) from Middle east, South Asia, and East Asia.  
o The case of the sub Saharan Africa shows the instances of women resisting 
the attempts made to lower their value of labor. Polygyny being the major 
insecurity for African women, they work hard to maintain and even 
maximize the existing autonomy. 
 
 
 
 
o She points out that in this society; it is women who are majorly responsible 
for taking care of the children, their upbringing which includes their 
education. 
o The second type she talks about is the one that exists in the Muslim Middle 
East (including Turkey, Pakistan, and Iran), and South and East Asia 
(specifically, India and China). This she terms as ‘Classic Patriarchy.’ 
These above given two types are in stark contrast to each other. 
Example 
She exemplifies classic patriarchy by explaining the typical practice of how girls are 
married off at a young age and given away to their husband’s household, which is 
headed by his father. This is the situation where the girl is subordinate to all the 
men and even the elder women of this new household.  
She says, “unlike women in sub-Saharan Africa who attempt to resist unfavorable 
labor relations in the household, women in areas of classic patriarchy often adhere 
as far and as long as they possibly can to rules that result in the unfailing 
devaluation of their labor.”  
To sustain in this type of a system, women, in the areas where classic patriarchy 
exists, start manipulating, negotiating and bargaining with men and the systems of 
patriarchy.  
Patriarchal bargain, as the name suggests, is the way women adjust and manipulate 
this existing system, for their personal gains and benefits.  
Kandiyoti explains how a mother-in-law, who was once a bride herself, was 
subordinate to everyone in her new family. And due to the cyclical nature of their 
power in family structure, she takes over that role herself once her daughter-in-law 
comes into the picture. 
So, in a way, it becomes a decision which is taken by the women where they accept 
gender rules, which are not advantageous to and are rather disadvantageous to 
other women. 
Reasons for patriarchal bargain:- 
 
 
o History-The long history behind this system acts as a fuel and is taking it 
further 
o Suo-moto- people tend to get comfortable with how things are, and avoid 
changes. If this is how one generation did it, the next will most likely follow 
their footsteps. 
o Revolt- Revolting and going against the predetermined rules of the society is 
not everyone’s cup of tea. Ones who cannot resist try to manipulate, leading 
to patriarchal bargain. 
o Power- Taking the above given example of family structure, a woman, who 
was once oppressed, feels empowered when she gets subordinates of her 
own. 
 
Solutions:- 
Can this bargain be resolved?  
Looking at the extent to which it is spread, the task looks mammoth, but definitely 
not impossible. Although the time taken to do so will be a lot 
Things that can be done include:- 
o Government Intervention- Government policies to start programmes 
focusing on empowering women. 
o Education- Women education needs to be enhanced, to help think rationally. 
o Only making policies won’t help, many sociological solutions are required. 
Especially changes that bring women to apposition of power, the right they 
have been denied for long.