Hegemonic Masculinity

According to Connell & Messerschmidt, 2005 Hegemonic masculinity refers to a

societal pattern in which stereotypically male traits are Idealized as the masculine
cultural ideal, explaining how and why men maintain a dominant social roles over
women and other groups considered to be feminine .

Hegemonic masculinity

A popular definition of the concept has been ‘an idealised, dominant, heterosexual
masculinity, constructed in relation to women and to the institution of marriage’ Any man
that aspires to embody this masculinity must display aggressive and violent behaviour
whilst restraining the flow of vulnerable emotions.

Hegemonic masculinity

 Thus symbolizes and enacts power over other masculine identities as well as
over women.
 It constitutes the most socially valued form of masculinity of masculinity to which
individual men can aspire, not with standing that it does not necessarily reflect
the lived identities of many, or indeed of any, individual men.

The status of hegemonic masculinity distinguishes it from and sets it above other forms
of gender identities that do not match up to this dominant ideal: For example

 Alternative form of masculinity is one does not meet the expectations of the
hegemonic form as norms that shape accepted social practices but which does
not present any challenge to that identity it is thereby viewed as complicit I the
maintenance of hegemonic masculinity as benefiting from that complicity.
Dimensions of Hegemonic Masculinity

 A position (Hierarchal position)

 A system (of gender relations)
 An ideology (Patriarchy)

Hegemonic Masculinity as Gender Relations

Organize social relations in social institutions and structures to the overall benefit of
men in relation to women and of some men in relation to other men.

 Power
 Labor

Hegemonic Masculinity as Hierarchal Position

Connell posits four types of masculinities more as positions in relation to one another:

1. Hegemonic
2. Subordinated
3. Marginalized
4. Complicit

Hegemonic - Dominant Masculinity

 Hegemonic position is currently accepted male ideal.

 This image changes over time and place , as well as within a particular culture.
Subordinated Masculinity

 Means a person lack many of qualities of hegemonic masculinity and also

express qualities opposite to hegemonic mas.
 Overly emotional
 Homosexuals

Loss of legitimacy- be a man A man in the subordinated position suffers that physical
attributes necessary to aspire to hegemony. Men in the risk of subordination when they
do not practice gender consistent with the hegemonic system and ideology.

Example : the men are not real one (Gay men) They lack the legitimacy to aspire to
hegemony.

Marginalized Masculinity

 Unable to conform to or derive benefits from hegemonic masculinity.

 Marginalized men are those who cannot even seek to hegemony.

Complicit Masculinity

• They strive for them and admire the qualities of hegemonic masculinity.

• Does not challenge the dominant forms of masculinities.

Max is not a member of the middle class. He is also very strong. However, he lacks the
qualities of hegemonic masculinity. He strives to be successful, strong , dominant and
not overly expressive of his emotions.

An ideology

Provides the justification through which patriarchy is legitimated and maintained

Hegemonic masculinity

There are also many other, more subtle consequences. For the individual, the necessity
to hide one’s emotions may lead to psychological distress during life, LGBTQ+
individuals, for instance, experience difficulties in coming to terms with nature since they
fear rejection of their personal gender identity. Being oneself thus becomes a conviction
to inferiority and to everlasting social exclusion. Moreover , the marginalisation of those
that diverge from the dominant gender stereotype give rise to social conflicts, from
bullying in schools to anti-gay rights movements. Hegemonic masculinity, therefore,
produces far-reaching effects on society, harming social equality and human
development.

References:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/hegemonic-masculinity?
fbclid=IwAR0gQIQsMMpyOMwBBMnqYM1gZEElp2t58S4HrAbTVJbgSCbbjm9O-
SOVetc

https://www.slideshare.net/niajones1/hegemonic-masculinity