2. Theory of Patriarchy and Women Oppression
The term ‘patriarch’ is used to refer to when the senior of the society has
legal power over the others social units, such as the younger men, all women and
the children. Pilcher and Whelehan, 2004: 93.
In a general explanation, patriarchy is when a man being the head of the social environment, such as in a family or a tribe Pilcher and Whelehan, 2004:
93. Going deeper of the meaning of patriarchy is described as follow: “Patriarchy
is a cultural ideological system that privileges men and all things masculine, and a political system that places power in the hands of men and thus serves male
interests at the expense of women. ”Madsen, 2000; xii
The description from Walby in Pilcher and Whelehan ’s book states that
patriarchy is a system of social structures and practices in which men dominate, oppress and exploit women Pilcher and Whelehan, 2004: 95. Furthermore,
Walby also recognizes the six structures of patriarchy namely household production, paid work, the state, male violence, sexuality, and culture Pilcher and
Whelehan, 2004:95. Patriarchy is related to women oppression. It is because the domination of
the man has impact to the woman. So the writer also explains the theory of women oppression in this section.
Stanton ’s writing on marriage, maternity, and divorce recognizes the
oppressed status of women as belonging to a subordinate sexual class. She also explains the separation of women as a class into a female sphere of experience
that is known as the private and the domestic, whereas the men have the power
toward the public sphere exclusively. Stanton argues that women should be independent from men. It is because individual rights are natural rights which
individual brings into the world at birth. These rights are essential so that it cannot be taken away from the individual Stanton in Madsen, 2000: 39. It means that
women have right to be not dependent on the men. The right that is given to the women when they are born cannot be detached from themselves.
Stanton says that the laws make the women in the subordinate class because it denies women their full human rights. The woman is also said that she
willingly accepts it. The legal oppression in marriage represents in the relation of power, of domination and control. In marriage the husband and wife become one
unit, the women surrender themselves in the relation. The men that are unwilling to be equal as the women is the primary explanation of the unwillingness of the
man to give the political equality to women. The married woman gives all her rights, such as the control of her body, though her husband gives up nothing.
Then, she becomes unpaid domestic drudge. Stanton in Madsen, 2000: 40.
3. Theory of Domestic Violence
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