 Most anthropologists hold that there are no known anthropological societies "that are unambiguously matriarchal", but some authors believe exceptions may exist currently or may have existed in the past.Matriarchies may also be confused with matrilineal, matrilocal, and matrifocal societies.A few people consider any non-patriarchal system to be matriarchal, thus including genderally equalitarian systems (Peggy Reeves Sanday favors redefining and reintroducing the word "matriarchy", especially in reference to contemporary matrilineal societies such as the Minangkabau), but most academics exclude them from matriarchies strictly defined.