Humanity has developed a view that men are superior to women. Nowadays, men dominate women in various contexts ranging from the common household to the leaders of nations. In everyday life, men are expected to be the ones who work to provide for and maintain their homes, and when it comes to leaders of nations around the world, the number of male leaders far eclipses the number of female leaders. Of course, not all companies have the same point of view. On the one hand, Hindu and Islamic cultures and religions maintain a patriarchal way of life. On the other hand, the Mosuo people of China are one of the few remaining societies that do not consider one gender superior to the other, but their women are considered more prestigious than their men, which may make the Mosuo a matriarch. Undoubtedly, the differences between Hindu, Islamic and Mosuo views on superior gender are influenced by their different religions and cultural beliefs. According to American History in Context obtained from the Otto G. Richter Library at the University of Miami, a patriarchy is "a social phenomenon in which men have the privilege to dominate women, both visibly and subliminally" (U.S. History in Context). Rather, matriarchy is defined as “a political system in which women are the dominant political actors” (US History in Context). Additionally, when the two words matriarchy and patriarchy are broken down to their core meaning, they illustrate their literal definition. The word “-Arch” translates to rule, while “matri-” and “patri-” translate to mother and father. When the roots of the words are put together, they translate to rule of the father in patriarchy, or rule of the mother...... middle of paper ...... very few or vast similarities or differences in religion and culture but the equal rights given to men and women in the matriarch of Mosuo culture is far superior to the suppression of women in the patriarchs of Hinduism and Islam. Works CitedDarity, William A. “Patriarchy.” United States History in Context. Np: Thomson Gale, sd 173-74. Print.El-Safty, Madiha. “Women in Egypt: Islamic rights versus cultural practices”. Sex Roles 51.5/6 (2004): 274-77. Horowitz, Maryanne Cline. "Matriarchy." Np: np, sd 1384-385. Print.Introduction to the Mosuo ethnic minority of China. University of Ottawa, August 17, 2012. Web. April 11, 2014. Jenkins, Colette. “What is Hinduism? Idaho State Journal (2013): n. pag.Mitra, Kana. “Women in Hinduism.” Journal of Ecumenical Studies 20.4 (nd): 585-93. “What is Islam? Daily News. HT Media Ltd., August 27. 2010.