What do you think of a matriarchal society?

Question

I've heard of matriarchal societys in anthropology class.
If you're not familiar, the jist is, a women's duty is to stay with her family; her mother and siblings.
When she is ready to have children she doesn't marry, or live with her lover and his only responsibility is to pay for the mid wife. The male role model in the childs life is her brother, whom she shares a home with.
This society makes sense to me. She would always have the support of her family, and the romance with her lover would last so much longer. I don't think the man is sloughing off his fatherly duties, because he is taking care of his sisters kids.
What do you think?

It's not unrealistic. Families used to live this way.
It's only when society decided multiple lovers was bad, that marraige became the norm.

From what I remember yes, the father is not important, it's the brother who teaches how to hunt, fish, etc.
In the circumstance that the brother died, I would imagine the father would step in.
I don't know what happens if she doesn't have a family of her own.

Answer 1

Seems a little odd. Traditionally you have your immediate family being your mum and dad and siblings. In this idea you are splitting up that family, and the bloke is taking care of someone elses kids.

Seems a little odd to me, i mean Ive seen familys who have verry strong family values, where even the lover of the daughter of that family has to compete with the family for attention of the daughter. As if that isnt spun out enough you have to introduce this other thing ^_^

The theroy is good, but that can be implemented without going to great lenghts. Just loosen the leach you keep on your man a bit, let him go out more often that way he gets time to miss you. I have a theroy saying that even the best of lovers would get sick of each others company if they was living together 24/7.

Answer 2

Where did you get that nonsense?

I am French and we are matriarchal culture. It means the mother in the family is viewed as the most important. She rules, commands, makes the decision, budgets etc.. She`s strong headed. The family has the out-most respect for her, she keeps the family together and what she says goes.

The Father is a provider. He is important and the Mother teaches her children to obey and respect their father.

Of course nowadays we have a modern version of this all.

Answer 3

What happens if she has no brother or if her family dies?
Do the children know who there Father is? Is the Father not important?

Answer 4

His sisters kids are not his children, therefore he is is not their father. THEREFORE, he IS sloughing off his fatherly duties, because he is not being a father to HIS children. Grr...that was confusing...So I'll tell you my short answer. I think a matriarchal society is ridiculous. There...easy answer.

Answer 5

if that's how you want to live...go for it....I personnally don't want my children living with me forever nor do I want to live with my mother forever.....but whatever makes you happy

Answer 6

Your story reminds me of "Stepford wives"!! Very unrealistic!