How is family structure presented in The Grapes of Wrath?

The novel begins with a typical patriarchal family structure; that is, man as head of the family, women in secondary roles, and children, of course, at the bottom, with male children being of higher status than females (although age in female children does outrank those of younger male children, if only temporarily).
The men are the first to asses the dire situation. Even though they are the titular heads of household, there is a force greater than themselves: the weather.
Men first:
The men stood by their fences and looked at the ruined corn…
Then women:
And the women came out of the houses to stand beside the men and see if they would break. The women studied the men’s faces carefully, for the corn could go, as long as something else remains.
Then finally, the children:
. . .and the children sent exploring senses out to see if the men and women would break.
Both women and children have a sense of security, modest though it may be, as long as their men are still in charge:
The women do not see the “break” yet and are relieved. The children notice too. Women and children knew deep in themselves that no misfortune was too great to bear if their men were whole.
As the story continues, these divisions will begin to break down. Eventually the family structure that Ma tries to desperately to cling to, is decimated.