Which of the following offers an explanation for the patriarchal social structures of Egypt and Mesopotamia? Men had exclusive control of property. Religious doctrines gave women a protected status with limited rights. Physical strength and the capacity to work dictated social status. Marriage created a system of subordination.

The correct answer is: Marriage created a system of subordination.<br /><br />In both Egypt and Mesopotamia, patriarchal social structures were reinforced through marriage systems that created a system of subordination. Marriage was often arranged for economic or political reasons, and women were typically subordinate to their husbands. This subordination was institutionalized through laws and customs that limited women's rights and freedoms, reinforcing the patriarchal structure.