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The term "patriarchy" has been used extensively in Women's Studies literature, but with little uniformity. Walby's attempt to draw together the various conceptualizations of the term into a single, yet dynamic model, is therefore a commendable one.
Walby defines patriarchy as a "system of social structures and practices in which men dominate, oppress and exploit women." This definition underlines the importance of viewing patriarchy as a structural phenomenon rather than one perpetuated by the individual exploitative man. Walby discusses what she calls the six "structures" of patriarchy -- paid work, housework, culture, sexuality, violence, and the state. In terms of their interrelation, Walby argues that each of these structures impact upon one another but are also relatively autonomous. Their interrelationships constitute the different "forms" of patriarchy present in a particular society. Walby further argues that the intensity of oppression on a specific dimension constitutes the "degree" of patriarchy. In this, while she presents a model within which the patriarchal nature of a particular culture can be studied, the exact nature of the "patriarchy" remains local to its setting.
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