However, without diverting the thread from your well-written post, I disagree with your premise.
I believe the patriarchal system was established by God, the ultimate patriarch.
It was established for the benefit of the man, the woman, the child, and society. It is the only system that will serve the best for each seperately and as a whole.
Unfortunately, as with most sytems, it has been distorted from it's original purpose, taken out of context, and is failing (actually dying) today. Not due to any lack in the system itself, but to the failure of utilizing it properly.