The Invisible Framework: Unpacking Patriarchal Control in Education, Employment, and Family Structures

Abstract

India Patriarchal sets still systematically relegate females thus propagating gender gaps in the realm of education, work and family systems. This paper explores the patriarchal process of control in said areas, paying particular attention to its institutionalized and intergenerational forms. The study will examine (1) how patriarchal norms affect the rights of women to education and employment and (2) how the family structure perpetuates or works to subvert gendered hierarchies. The mixed-methods research design sampled 150 women of Delhi NCR using structured questionnaires and data analysed using regression and ANOVA to provide an answer to the hypotheses. Results indicate that the environment of patriarchal control considerably reduces the leverages of women (beta = 0.310, p < 0.001) with nuclear families proving to be more resistant towards the conventional norms (mean = 17.29) than joint (mean = 16.24) and extended families (mean = 15.57). Though the paper points to the ongoing impacts of patriarchy, the analysis does find overlaps with caste, class, and individual agency through which the impact mediates. The conclusion highlights the necessity of multi layered interventions that involve the reforms in policies, interventions against the inequity of the workplaces, and awareness programs in communities to eradicate the systemic barriers. This study will add value to the existing debate on gender equality as well as provide a continued support towards redefining power-sets within the Indian society by cutting across the two piece spectrum of empirical research and feminist theory.