old boys' club
Elite male fraternity
An old boys' club is an informal network of men—typically from privileged backgrounds, elite schools, or established institutions—who use personal connections to help each other professionally.
The term criticizes how power and opportunity circulate among insiders while excluding women and outsiders: She couldn't break into the old boys' club that ran the firm.
Sometimes old boys' network.
Exclusive social group
- inner circleExclusive group of confidants
- gatekeepingControlling access to something
- closed doorsSealed entry points
- blackballingGroup exclusion practice
old guard · in-group · outsider · barrier · glass ceiling · membership · restricted · selectivity
Male-dominated social order
- misogynyHostility toward women
- gender biasPrejudice based on sex
- male dominanceMen's systemic societal control
- chauvinismMilitant devotion to group
glass ceiling · discrimination · bro culture · locker room · underrepresentation · mansplaining · gender disparity · harassment
Preferential treatment of some
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
- backscratchingTrading favors mutually
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
connections · insider dealing · preferential treatment · string-pulling · kickbacks · quid pro quo · logrolling · sweetheart deal
Ranked authority structure
- influencePower to affect others
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- controlAuthority to direct
establishment · oligarchy · clout · leverage · kingmaker · power broker · boardroom · backroom deals
Inherited cultural legacy
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- legacyWhat's passed down
- conventionsAccepted social practices
etiquette · lineage · conservatism · precedent · founders · alma mater · reunion · initiation
Assumed right to benefits
- eliteSuperior select group
- advantagesFavorable factors or conditions
- accessRight to enter
- wealthAbundance of valuable resources
status · prestige · affluence · upper-class · birthright · legacy admission · silver spoon · boarding school
clique
Exclusive social group
- inner circleExclusive group of confidants
- gatekeepingControlling access to something
- closed doorsSealed entry points
blackballing · old guard · in-group · outsider · barrier · glass ceiling · membership · restricted · selectivity · tokenism
patriarchy
Male-dominated social order
- misogynyHostility toward women
- gender biasPrejudice based on sex
- male dominanceMen's systemic societal control
chauvinism · glass ceiling · discrimination · bro culture · locker room · underrepresentation · mansplaining · gender disparity · harassment · hostile environment
favoritism
Preferential treatment of some
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
- backscratchingTrading favors mutually
networking · connections · insider dealing · preferential treatment · string-pulling · kickbacks · quid pro quo · logrolling · sweetheart deal · palm-greasing
hierarchy
Ranked authority structure
- influencePower to affect others
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
control · establishment · oligarchy · clout · leverage · kingmaker · power broker · boardroom · backroom deals · political machine
heritage
Inherited cultural legacy
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- legacyWhat's passed down
conventions · etiquette · lineage · conservatism · precedent · founders · alma mater · reunion · initiation · handshake
entitlement
Assumed right to benefits
- eliteSuperior select group
- advantagesFavorable factors or conditions
- accessRight to enter
wealth · status · prestige · affluence · upper-class · birthright · legacy admission · silver spoon · boarding school · Ivy League
old boys' clubbig tent
Inclusive political approach
open door policy · open-door policy · public institution · public forum
old boys' clubmeritocracy
Advancement through demonstrated ability
level playing field · merit-based system · fair competition · blind hiring · equal opportunity