Is Matriarchy better than Patriarchy for women?

Most of us have grown up in a patriarchal society i.e. in which men dominate. I have always been curious about women in matriarchal/ matrilineal societies. Are they happier or better off? Let’s find out.

Matriarchy is a social system in which women hold the primary power positions in roles of authority. How does matriarchal society and culture impact women’s brains, their health, and their sense of autonomy?

Cultures where you can see matriarchy/matriliny include:

China - Mosuo women, an isolated ethnic group.

India - The Khasis in Meghalaya and the traditional Nayar in Kerala.

A study on Mosou women strengthened my belief that living in a matriarchal system positively impacts a woman’s physical and mental health. The results showed Mosuo women are happier and healthier than women living in a patriarchal society.

Mosuo women run their households, and inheritance goes from mother to daughter. They make all big household decisions, including financial ones, and women work.

Generally, women experience higher morbidity than men, despite living longer. This is attributed to biological differences of sex. But this is only true for patriarchal societies.

With Mosuo women, gender disparities in health are reversed. Their health is better, but with no concomitant detrimental effects on men.

The Mosuo study also shows that women living in matrilineal societies tend to have far fewer markers of chronic disease – including lower blood pressure and signs of inflammation which can lead to heart disease or diabetes.

Siobhán Mary Mattison says, "Women in these matrilineal communities have autonomy in decision-making and excellent social support. Given that women tend to be at greater risk of chronic disease worldwide, the fact that they do better than men in this realm of health is telling."

Final Note: We cannot choose the society we are born in or move to a place where matriarchy exists. But we can make small changes in our family system and society so that women have more autonomy. This alone seems to improve mental and physical health.