A Descriptive Overview Of The Concept Of Hegemonic Masculinity

Gender study is a prominent part of sociology that your professor will cover in your class at some point. This means you need to be familiar with every aspect of this area of sociology. Speaking of gender study, you may have heard one significant topic within this area, i.e. the theory of hegemonic masculinity.

Writing a paper on this controversial theory may not be simple, but you can still ensure your paper turns out perfect. We have put together a clear and concise overview of this theory that will help you grasp the concept more clearly. Let's delve further into it.

 What is hegemonic masculinity?

The term "hegemonic masculinity" essentially refers to the idea that men have or should be dominant and women should remain subordinate in a society. There are multiple manifestations of this theory, but the answer to all those concepts is the same.

The argument in this concept is based on some form of the disproportionate emphasis on the significance of traits it designates as 'masculine.' It offers a simplistic assertion that males exhibit these traits more than women, if not exclusively.

Developed in the 1980s to offer a socially constructed theory of men and masculinities, hegemonic masculinity emphasises the hierarchical interaction between multiple masculinities. It points out how some men find it necessary and normal to dominate most women and other men.

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Explain the concept of hegemonic masculinity by Connell

This concept is part of R.W. Connell’s gender order theory. In this case, Connell seeks to elaborate how for some men, it’s natural, normal, and necessary for them to enjoy power over most women and other men. He also focuses on why it is that so many men and women willingly allow in their own oppression; and how resistance to this phenomenon can promote gender justice.

Connell observes four types of masculinities; these categories are based on the relationship with one another than as personality types. They’re hegemonic, complicit, subordinated, and marginalised. The hegemonic position is the recognised male ideal within a particular culture at a particular time. As such, the hegemonic male is an ideal type. Connell notes that this image changes over time and place. Most men fall within the second group, i.e. complicit. These men accept and participate in the system of hegemonic masculinity and avoid subordination. Read about rational choice theory.

Complicity to the typical masculine traits is another major aspect of the original framework of hegemonic masculinity. Yet, since men benefit from the patriarchal norms, they generally gain from the overall subordination of women.

However, complicity isn’t easily depicted as pure subordination since marriage, fatherhood, and community life often involves extensive compromises with women instead of simple domination over them. In this case, hegemony isn’t gained through forceful or violent means, but it’s acquired through culture, persuasions, and institutions.

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What is an example of hegemonic masculinity?

• Education

Hegemonic masculinity has been adopted in education studies to learn about the dynamics of classroom life, including patterns of bullying and resistance among boys. It was also applied to explore relations to the curriculum and the difficulties in gender-neutral pedagogy.

• Media and sports

Hegemonic masculinity has also been applied in studying media representations of men as a whole. The theory of hegemony attempts to make sense of both the diversity and the selectiveness of images in mass media. Hence, the media researchers have started mapping the relations between different masculinities.

Depictions of masculinity in men's lifestyle magazines have been studied, and researchers discovered elements of hegemonic masculinity woven throughout them. Commercial sports have been in focus for media representations of masculinity. The developing field of sports sociology made significant use of the concept of hegemonic masculinity.

It was implemented with the understanding of the popularity of body-contact confrontational sports as an endlessly renewed symbol of masculinity.

• Organisational studies

Hegemonic masculinity has been prevalent in organisational studies as the gendered character of bureaucracies and workplaces has been recognised. The military has placed a specific emphasis where specific patterns of hegemonic masculinity were hidden but have been increasingly problematic.

Several studies have uncovered that negative hegemonically masculine traits associated with violence and aggression were needed to succeed in the military at all ranks and in every branch. 

• Criminology

Hegemonic masculinity has greatly impacted criminology as studies reveal that men or boys take part in common and more serious crimes than women or girls. Furthermore, men are responsible for much more white-collar crime than women.

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Hegemonic masculinity advantages and disadvantages

The hegemonic masculinity is the completely theoretical and quite simplistic world view of gender relations. There are no actual advantages or disadvantages to point out as such, only hypothetical ones.

In general, you need to define what a “dominant position" really means. How do you define it, and how do you measure it; how do you compare privileges and advantages or disadvantages of different social groups, and how do we compare them. Get knowledge about theory of planned behaviour.

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Parting thoughts,

It’s immensely vital to maintaining information accuracy when you’re writing your sociology paper on this topic. This detailed guide will help you flesh out the topic in an efficient manner.