Patriarchy and Gender Inequalities

Abstract

The historical sciences have long grappled with questions of inequality, yet gender remains one of the most persistent axes of social stratification. This panel critically examines patriarchal structures and gender inequalities in demographic, economic, and social contexts across different periods and regions. It seeks to illuminate the ways in which gender systems have shaped opportunities, agency, and outcomes, often reinforcing discrimination and structural barriers while also offering pathways for transformation. Patriarchy, both as a social system and an analytical tool, provides a crucial lens for understanding the mechanisms through which gendered power relations have been institutionalized and challenged over time. By bringing together diverse methodological approaches—both quantitative and qualitative—the panel fosters an interdisciplinary dialogue to analyze the intersection of gender with family arrangements, demographic behavior, economic participation, and educational access. The discussion will highlight how historiographical perspectives on gender inequality continue to evolve, reflecting broader debates within historical research. In alignment with the centennial conference theme—“The Past, the Present, and the Future of History: Celebrating 100 Years of the International Committee of Historical Sciences”—the panel will reflect on how historical research engages with contemporary sociopolitical dynamics. It will consider transnational perspectives on gendered inequalities, contrasting movements toward integration and cooperation with patterns of nationalization and fragmentation. Through comparative analysis, the panel will underscore how historiography itself mirrors the unequal distribution of voices in the international academic landscape. By connecting the study of gender inequalities to the evolving role of historical sciences, the panel contributes to the conference’s overarching mission of interrogating the past while envisioning the future of historiographical inquiry.

Papers

Patriarchy Across the Old and New World: Gender and Generational Inequalities in Historical Family Systems of North America and Europe

Mikolaj Szoltysek, Mateusz Grzyb, Siegfried Gruber Gruber

The Power of Fathers: Authority, Property, and Invisible Hierarchies in Family and Society in Tyrol in the 18th and 19th centuries

Margareth Lanzinger

The Evolution of the Gender Gap in the Workplace: A Meso-level Analysis

Selin Dilli, Corinne Boter

Demography, economy and missing girls in 18th century Spain

Fran Beltrán Tapia

Educational Gender Gaps in Early 19th c. Poland: Unequal Paths to Knowledge?

Bartosz Ogorek

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Patriarchy and Gender Inequalities in Social and Demographic Structures Across Space and Over Time