I have never believed in the evil patriarchy theory, either, which is also pushed by feminists. It's fine with me if a society is organized as a matriarchy. It is just that most societies have been organized around the idea of the bigger and stronger man being head of the family. The farther back one goes in time the more this seems to be the case because of the importance of physical strength in protecting and providing for a family.
So far as I know no prehistoric matriarchal society has been identified. The presence of widespread worship of a female deity or deities does not establish a matriarchal society, IMHO. Also, in the neolithic societies discovered in remote areas in the 19th and 20th centuries, no matriarchies were found. A number of primitive societies are matrilineal, but not matriarchal.
Unlike the feminists, I think men and women have lived together agreeably regardless of who is in charge, especially in the West.
One of the points made in the book The Blade and the Chalice was that apparently the settlements of Old Europe had the appearance of operating on a partnership model, with full respect being given to women and their activities. When the central Asian invaders swept in the status of woman was severely reduced and the status of warriors and war was greatly enhanced. Prior to 4,000 BC Old Europe communities seemed to lack fortifications and significant amounts of war weapons.
One of the points made in the book The Blade and the Chalice was that apparently the settlements of Old Europe had the appearance of operating on a Partnership Model, with full respect being given to women and their activities. When the central Asian invaders swept in the status of woman was severely reduced and the status of warriors and war was greatly enhanced. This is known as the Dominator Model of society. Prior to 4,000 BC Old Europe communities seemed to lack fortifications and significant amounts of war weapons. There are those who believe that anything we can do to move society back to a Partnership model will help save civilization.