Final answer:
A matriarchal society is one where females form long-lasting social ties and a high degree of affiliation. These societies promote cooperative work ethics and a strong sense of female kinship and community, with women playing central roles in both the family and broader social structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a matriarchal society, females tend to form long-lasting social ties and enjoy a high degree of affiliation. Research, such as Sanday's study of the Indonesian Minangkabau, indicates that in societies considered matriarchal, women often have significant social roles and form strong community bonds. Jobs are done cooperatively, and a sense of community prevails over individual competition. This contrasts with many patrilineal societies where the construction of social ties and the division between male and female roles tend to be more rigid, reflecting a patriarchal structure.
Such societies often foster an environment of female kinship and solidarity which is central to the social structure, as seen in native societies with matrilineal systems where women are deeply respected and play an integral role in farming, the home, and even diplomacy. Moreover, in these communities, the family is seen as an extended network of support and affiliation, with women often assuming leadership within these familial structures.