What family structure is characterized by the leadership of the male figure?

The family structure characterized by the leadership of the male figure is patriarchal. In a patriarchal system, the father or male figure holds primary authority and power over the family's decision-making processes, responsibilities, and roles. This structure often influences various aspects of family life, including social, economic, and cultural dynamics, where the male figure is seen as the head of the household.

The patriarchal family model is distinct from matriarchal structures, where leadership is predominantly held by the female figure, and from nuclear and extended family structures, which define the composition and relationship of family members rather than the leadership roles. In nuclear families, the focus is on a small family unit typically consisting of parents and their children, while extended families include larger kinship networks, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Neither of these two family types specifically indicates leadership by a male figure, which is the defining characteristic of a patriarchal family structure.