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It means centered or focussed on the father(s), in contrast with matrifocal which means focussed or centered upon the mother(s).
Some societies are more matrifocal than patrifocal. Or some writers seem to portray just one or the other tendency in their novels. Other societies seem to be predominently patrifocal.
In the matter of the care of children, most published guidelines and counselling might seem to be matrifocal. Whilst this is understandable, sometimes a strictly matrifocal approach might omit and, by definition, exclude any consideration of the father.
Correspondingly, is it a woman's role to do everything fundamentally for the men and father's in their lives? That would be a patrifocal attitude.
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