The Ami system of age classes is limited to the males, who are responsible for the affairs of the village. It forms a curious contrast to the matriarchal system of matrilinear surnames, of marriage into the bride's family and of women as head of the household.
他們說，年齡階級組織是阿美族男子的專利，負責的是整個部落的事宜，與從母姓、行招贅婚、母親擔任家長的母系制度產生微妙的制衡。