The phrase "oppressive rule" means when a government or authority uses harsh and unfair control over its people, making them feel restricted and deprived of their rights and freedoms. Full definition
Throughout the history of the world there have been peoples suffering terribly under oppressive rule and inhumane social systems. (religion-online.org)
Victorianism means to us a rigid system of oppressive rules by which people pretended to live. (religion-online.org)
I'm all about busting out of societal norms and here are these young people — growing up in a time when there's more freedom than ever — instituting oppressive rules around sex. (omgchronicles.vickilarson.com)