rights of the head of a family; patriarchal authority
Refers to the legal or traditional authority held by the head of a household, especially in historical or legal contexts. Often associated with pre-war Japanese family law.
Under the old Civil Code, the rights of the head of the family gave the household head strong authority.
Compound of 家長 (かちょう, 'head of a family') and 権 (けん, 'right, authority'). The term is primarily used in legal and historical discussions of family law.