Final answer:
Peggy Reeves Sanday viewed matriarchies as cooperative societies where men and women work together, challenging patriarchal gender dynamics. Her research suggests that matriarchal principles foster egalitarian social structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the works of Peggy Reeves Sanday, it can be discerned that she held a scholarly and nuanced view on matriarchies. In her book Women at the Center: Life in a Modern Matriarchy, Sanday examined societies like the Indonesian Minangkabau, which some consider to be matriarchal. Her study revealed that in such societies, women and men work cooperatively rather than competitively, challenging the divisive gender dynamics often seen in patriarchal societies. Consequently, it is clear that Peggy did not view matriarchy as simply the inverse of patriarchy; rather, she recognized matriarchal principles as fostering a more egalitarian and cooperative social structure.
Moreover, Sanday's exploration of matriarchy discusses the theoretical framework of gender ideologies and their implementation in social life. Her research indicates that while matriarchal structures are not dominant in contemporary societies, they present an alternative to the competitive underpinnings of patriarchal institutions, focusing instead on collaboration and shared governance between genders.