Gender by Studies of Masculinity

                                                                        So, what is masculinity? …

Definition- The possession of the qualities traditionally associated with men.

Gilmore describes masculinity as “The approved way of being an adult male in any given society”.

In society ideas of masculinity are defined by having tough attitudes and physical strength. This encourages men to make a specific body image and set of mannerisms that maybe different from other societies.

Hegemonic Masculinity

Hegemonic  refers to the concept of hegemony, which has a meaning of the social dominance of a certain group. This is a form of masculinity that tries to maintain a dominant figure over social life in a society. These are the so called “Real Men” i.e. film star Arnold Schwarzenegger, rappers such as 50 Cent and current President of America / Entrepreneur Donald Trump. According to research carried out by Connell, hegemonic masculinity is associated primarily with heterosexuality and marriage, but also with authority, strength, and physical toughness. Many critics have argued that, although hegemonic masculinity appears to be obvious, Connell doesn’t present satisfactory account of it. This is because she does not specify what would be a counter-hegemonic. For example, more men are now involved in childcare and parenting, is this part of a trend against hegemonic masculinity and if so how can we know what actions constitute hegemonic masculinity in the first place.

Complicit masculinity

Although hegemonic masculinity is held up as the most prestige form of masculinity, only a few men can actually live up to it. A high number of men however, still gain advantage from its dominance. Connell refers to this as the “Patriarchal dividend” and to those who benefit from it as embodying complicit masculinity. Some social psychologists wonder how men become embodied complicit masculine’s if they don’t live up to the hegemonic masculine heights themselves. Connell says “marriage, fatherhood and community life often involved extensive compromises with women rather than domination or an uncontested display of authority.” So, that explains why many men aren’t subordinate to hegemonic masculinity but engage in relationships of complicity, this means that they go along with certain aspects of hegemonic masculinity’s power over women and subordinated masculinities. However, they are unwilling to live up to the ideals of masculinities.  

      Subordinated       masculinity

Among subordinated masculinities the most important is homosexual masculinity. The homosexual is seen

as the total opposite of “The Real Man”, he does not measure up to the hegemonic masculine ideal and often embodies many of its cast offs traits. Homosexual ranks at the bottom of the gender hierarchy of men.

The typical features of masculinity

Gilmore suggests …

Man, the Impregnator-  Males are expected to impregnate females. To do this they are normally required to initiate sexual encounters. They are expected to compete with other men for the woman of their choice. I.E.- In Sicily, Masculine honour is always bound up with aggression and potency. A “Real Man” in Sicily is a man with big testicles.

Man, the Provider- Once the female is impregnated, in most societies men are then expected to provide for them and their child (or children). In the Mediterranean “the emphasis on male honour as a domestic duty is widespread”. Traditionally in Greek peasant villages, the honour of the father’s rests upon their ability to provide their daughters with large dowries. Men in New Guinea have their manhood measured partly through their competence in hunting. Women are not allowed to hunt, and men who fail in hunting are subject to ridicule and will find it difficult to get a wife.

Man, the Protector- The third way in which most cultures define masculinity is in men’s roles as protectors. Men must protect their children and women from other men and any other threats that may appear. I.E- The East African Samburu tribe males must demonstrate bravery starting from the age of 14. This could go on for 12 years. Firstly, they must have a circumcision (that is performed without anaesthetic) if he flinches then he shall be shamed forever. And then the male must then prove himself by rustling cattle from other tribes, risking himself a beating or even death if he is caught. However, success confirms he is manly, and this makes him attractive to females and shows that he capable of protecting and caring for his future family.    

Reference list

Connell, R.W. (1987) Gender and Power : Society, the Person and Sexual Politics (Cambridge : Polity).

Connell, R.W. (2001) The Men and the Boys (Berkeley and Los Angeles : Allen & Unwin).

Connell, R.W. (2005) Masculinities (2^nd edn , Cambridge : Polity).

Gilmore, D. (1990) Manhood in the Making: Cultural Concepts of masculinity, Yale University Press, New Haven, CT.

Gilmore, D. (1990) Manhood in the Making: Cultural Concepts of masculinity, Yale University Press, New Haven, CT.

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