Poster Presentation
Patriarchy and Gender Equality
Barbara DeRenzy
Faculty Mentor: Barbara Ashwood-Gegas
English and Journalism
Patriarchy is a societal norm that has been learned throughout history and has existed for more than seven thousand years. It is a social structure that places males in a dominant role and encourages the subservience and oppression of women. This research project considers the correlation between patriarchy and the pay gap between men and women. It has been more than seventy years since the Equal Pay Amendment was signed into law; however, women still make approximately seventy-seven cents for every dollar earned by a man. Research indicates that women and men value themselves differently based on societal perceptions rooted in patriarchal influences: men are judged regarding their status, money, aggressiveness and power while women are considered to be the homemakers, the bearers of children, and the person who takes the lowest paying positions with no authority. These disparate values contribute to workplace gender inequality that continues to position males in power in politics, religion, college educators, CEOs of corporations and the military. Until patriarchy no longer influences and shapes our cultural values, there will continue to be inequality and male domination of women.