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The Relationship between Hegemonic masculinity and Crime

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The Relationship between Hegemonic masculinity and Crime

Hegemonic masculinity refers to the prevailing and widely accepted style of manhood in a given

group or society. Sociologist R. W. Connell describes the two as separate entities that refer to a

set of norms and values that in our culture have been traditionally associated with men; these are

exalted and extolled, while women's contributions to society receive little praise or recognition.

This manhood has nothing to do with men wanting to look at themselves but everything to do

with how society thinks they should act and tries to fit them into roles. It often bolsters power

structures and hierarchies that push those who don't conform to the margins. The relationship

between crime and masculinity is a complex one. According to research, the rate of men as both

perpetrators and victims of different types of crime is higher than that of women. This link raises

questions about the extent to which criminal behavior is related to social expectations of

masculinity. The hegemony of masculine concepts such as toughness, aggression, and

dominance may help to create a culture that sees engaging in criminal activity as a way to prove

one's manhood or deal with societal pressures. This essay seeks to delve into the correlation

between crime and hegemonic masculinity.

Hegemonic masculinity
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Hegemonic masculinity was brought to the forefront by Connell and Messerschmidt

(2005) and Connell (1987, 1995). The term was established by Connell, drawing on research in

several fields, to represent the objectives of scholars who wanted to emphasize the study of

masculinity within a framework of gender relations (Hirsch & Kachtan, 2018). Hegemonic

masculinity, according to Connell, has become the most prevalent and highly esteemed kind of

masculinity that men can have. The socially dominant kind of masculinity, known as hegemonic

masculinity, supersedes all others.Because it neither challenges nor conforms to the hegemonic

form's norms for socially acceptable behaviours. However, the hegemonic ideal is so different

from other masculinities that they are either ignored or put in their place. Thus, hegemonic

masculinity is both a symbol and an embodiment of authority over women and different

masculine identities (Christensen & Jensen,2014). While it may not accurately portray the

experiences of many men, if any, it is nonetheless the most idealized version of masculinity that

men might strive for in society. For Westerners and those living in Westernised societies, the

ideal hegemonic masculinity is all about being "macho," which means being strong, fearless,

aggressive, and able to roll with the punches when things get tough (Cornwall, A., &

Lindisfarne,2016). Therefore, it is believed to be linked to brave and strong actions, such as not

showing weakness or being overtaken by bad things, and it is seen as discouraging actions, like

showing emotions or needing to ask for aid from others (Yuk-Ha,2019). As Connell points out,

such an identity is neither easily executed nor desirable in and of itself; rather, it is an idealized

set of rules that does not represent the reality of men's lives as it is. Nevertheless, hegemonic

masculinity offers a standard of excellence that men can strive for and evaluate themselves

against.

Historical context of Hegemonic masculinity

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In the past human societies, male roles were often intimately connected with physical

strength and the ability to defend a community. In advancing civilization, from the feudal to

agrarian stages onward, male authority became more engrossed as men became seen in provider

roles (Buschmeyer & Lengersdorf,2016). The Industrial Revolution was a watershed. It

promoted the breadwinner model and secured male supremacy in public life. With the

development of mass media in the 20th century, men were represented in various ways, leading

to further refinement of hegemonic masculinity.

These patriarchal systems, based on historical imbalances of power in favor of men, have

reinforced traditional notions about gender. Influenced by culture and religion, prescribed gender

roles were further strengthened and became part of societal institutions (Jewkes et al.,2015). In

part, the makeup of individual identities was determined by family dynamics. Gender roles, in

particular, defined which duties belonged to whom within the household. Economic factors were

also at play. After all, men are typically depicted as the family breadwinner, a role that reinforces

traditional gender norms in the workplace while at home.

The development of hegemonic masculinity throughout history has deeply influenced

social structures (Jewkes et al.,2015). Rather, it has reinforced existing hierarchies of power,

with the idealized version of a male figure maintaining and perpetuating norms already existing

in society. As a result, a gendered division of labor has emerged. Traditional expectations

determine separate roles for women and men in society. These gender norms are perpetuated

through curriculum and socialization in educational systems.Moreover, media and popular

culture also promote this type of masculinity. As a result, how people think about men affects

social structure and character. This historical background is critical to an appreciation of the

deeply material roots of today's gender norms and their bearing on all aspects of human life.
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Theoretical Framework

Cornell's concept

Connell (1987, 1995) introduced the term "hegemonic masculinity" to define a specific

type of masculinity inside a specific historical and social framework that affords women

preferential treatment. When it comes to the production of hegemonic masculinity, there are

always a number of subordinated masculinities and women that function as elements. At the core

of Connell's theory was a certain form of masculinity that was in an unbalanced relationship to

emphasised femininity and nonhegemonic masculinities. Additionally, the relational and

legitimation features were significant components of the theory. Hegemonic masculinity is

meaningless apart from the ways it interacts with emphasized femininity, nonhegemonic

masculinities, or subordinated kinds of femininity that are complementing, accommodating, and

obedient(Yulindrasari,2017). The nature and meaning of hegemonic masculinity are exposed

through the legitimization of this relationship of subordination and superordination. Cultural

ascendancy, or discursive persuasion, was crucial to achieving hegemonic masculinity, which

was emphasized in the context of gender relations. The point made was that men and women are

fundamentally different, and that all males should accept, embrace, and represent this inequality.
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Connell argues that gender relations are shaped by power disparities. As a result, her

paradigm centres on emphasised femininity, which shows how this feminine form adapts to

masculine control. In addition, Connell stated that hegemonic masculinity is built upon four

distinct nonhegemonic masculinities. One of these masculinities is the complicit masculinity,

which does not fully represent hegemonic masculinity but, when exercised, helps to perpetuate it

by enjoying the fruits of gender inequality. The alternative is When contrasted with hegemonic

masculinity, subordinate masculinities, such as effeminate men, are viewed as abnormal or

inferior. The third type of masculinity is Marginalized masculinities. This type is impacted by

class, race, ethnicity, and age-related inequalities, are subject to trivialization and discrimination.

The fourth kind of masculinity is the protest masculinity, which emerges as a form of

compensating hypermasculinity in reaction to social roles that do not support hegemonic

masculinity. In order to mend broken masculinities, new ones are constructed as protest

masculinities. According to Connell, these concepts were more conceptual than descriptive, and

they were defined in accordance with the logic of sexism.They reasoned that gender relations

were contextual, meaning that power structures based on gender may shift over time. Hegemonic

masculinities, according to Connell, emerged in response to particular historical conditions and

were malleable throughout time. Even more specifically, newer forms of hegemonic masculinity

may end up replacing older ones in a power struggle. This was the one bright spot in a theory

that was otherwise rather pessimisticThere was a possibility that in order to lessen the disparities

that exist between the genders, a more compassionate and equitable conception of what it means

to be a man could have increased in favour. students in school

Understanding Social Learning

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Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory elucidates in detail the processes by which

people become socially accepted and behave in a certain way. It shows the relevance and impact

of observing and experiencing positive reinforcement by others. We can comprehend the

relationship between social influence, criminal behavior and masculinity according to social

learning theory.

According to social learning theory, individuals acquire the knowledge of being manly by

taking cues from their closest role models, and these role models could be anyone in society.

Some of these are real people, like family members or close friends or community leaders,

people whom we personally knows. It could be fictional characters from movies and TV series or

pop culture icons. Some individuals might embrace a criminal lifestyle in order to fit in with

their peers, especially if the media presents this behavior as a sign of masculinity or a cool thing

to do.

How we define manhood and what constitutes criminal behaviour is heavily influenced

by the media. Such type of character isn't considered good.Men may accept and even admire this

kind of criminal behavior as part of what it means to be a man if they repeatedly see these kinds

of images. In this situation, Social Learning Theory stresses how important it is to learn from

watching others repeat certain behavior patterns and socialize people into following hegemonic

male norms, which could even mean doing illegal things like selling drugs.

Empirical Evidence
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The complicated dynamics between gender identification and criminal conduct have been

illuminated by the many research that have investigated the statistical correlations between

masculinity and crime rates. Crime rates, especially violent crimes, are disproportionately higher

among males (Clarke,2014). Evidence for this comes from studies showing that women continue

to commit lower crime rates and less serious offenses compared to men. Although there were

almost the same numbers of males and women, men comprised 85% of those arrested.

Additionally, 95% of inmates are male, and 75% of those facing criminal charges are male; this

leaves 5% female. The majority of violent and robbery offenders are men (85% to 90%), and

nearly all sexual offenders are men (98%) compared to women (2%).

Men are disproportionately victims and offenders in many criminal cases, according to

statistical correlations. This trend holds in many different cultural contexts, which may indicate a

worldwide link between stereotypical ideas of manhood and criminal behavior. However, Reed

(2018), who used linear regression models, found that there is a significant relationship between

criminal/delinquent behavior and poor socioeconomic position. This discovery could lend

credence to the theoretical claims made by Cohen, Cloward, and Ohlin. Studies found that Girls

are far less likely to commit crimes than boys. Men make up about 63% of those arrested for

property crimes and 81% for violent crimes. According to victims' accounts in the National

Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), the majority of violent crimes they encountered were

committed by men (University of Minnesota, 2016). Additionally, research examining self-report

data shows that men conduct considerably more serious street offenses than females. As shown

in the figure below, the criminal underworld is predominantly populated by men.

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Figure 1: Gender and Arrest

The first important thing to consider is the reason behind the significant gender gap.

Although most criminologists believe this to be due to social causes, other academics believe it

to be based on inherent biological differences between the sexes. Among these, gender role

socialization is one example: Even if gender roles are more widely acknowledged, we still teach

our males to be strong and aggressive and our girls to be soft and kind (Lindsey, 2015). One of

the several outcomes of this kind of gender socialization is the substantial disparity between the

criminal behaviors of men and women. Possibility is the second component. According to

studies, the chances of their sons breaking the law increase when they are permitted to stay out

longer at night, but parents keep a closer eye on their daughters.

Socialization and Masculinity

Influences of Family and Culture on Gender Roles

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The socialization process within families and cultural contexts plays a pivotal role in

shaping individuals' understanding of masculinity and influencing their behaviors. The family is

the principal channel for cultural transmission; it disseminates standards of gender behavior,

norms, and values. Gender norms and expectations for conduct are instilled in children as early

as the formative years of their social development through the teachings and actions of adults.

Cultural traditions and societal expectations also help to define gender roles. For instance,

masculine behavior is passed down through the generations. Traditional family and cultural

practices that reinforce traditional gender norms can affect how people think of themselves as

well as others, perhaps leading them to model their behavior, including even criminal behavior,

on hegemonic masculinity.

Masculinity and Criminality in the Media

These include television, film, advertising, and social media, which help shape popular

conceptions of masculinity and affect individual activities. media plays a big role in perpetuating

these stereotypes. In movies and television shows, we frequently see male characters who are

depicted as being powerful and assertive are portrayed as the ideal man.

Moreover, these photographs typically depict a connection between lawlessness and

manliness, representing them as brave or defiant behaviors. These pictures may give others a bad

opinion about having different genders. Such type of gender representation can create unrealistic

expectations for individuals. Being media literate is important so we can evaluate the way

information is presented in the media.

Implications for Policy and Intervention

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Examining the relationship between hegemonic masculinity, and crime in the criminal

justice system. A gender-informed approach is an approach that aims to create a criminal justice

system that is fair, equitable, and safe for all people, regardless of gender. From a gender-

conscious point of view, it is important to examine the impact of gender on people's experiences

of crime and punishment. Yeah, we all know that gender stereotypes can affect the behavior and

individual differences always need to be taken into account while designing the crime control

policies. I understand that being drilled with the concept that traditional masculinity can affect

the judgment and treatment of criminals is crucial.When a person commits a crime based on

societal norms of hegemonic masculinity, it can be managed through gender-aware legal systems

and recovery plans. Additionally, we should work towards ending the gender stereotypes in

society, particularly in the field of criminal justice. This type of treatment is not only fair but also

right and just.

Education Programs Challenging Traditional Masculinity

In many cases, attitudes and beliefs in society are the responsibility of educational

institutions. Such educational programs that subvert traditional notions of masculinity will help

create a more equal and fair society. These programs might include examining gender roles and

stereotypes, as well as the harm caused by hegemonic masculinity. There are, therefore, many

cases where people's links between masculinity and criminality through the role of school can be

broken down. School should effectively stir up people's thinking to make them a little critical; it

can set into action an invisible hand to push students away from challenging gender norms for

granted rewards. These kinds of programs can provide training in healthy relations and

communication, eradicating the root sources of gender-based violence and aggression.

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Community-based Initiatives to Replace Unhealthy Masculine Norms

More community effort is called to create an environment that nurtures many healthy

versions of masculinity. These initiatives generally involve cooperation between community

groups and local leaders to attack negative gender norms. Community members can hold

discussions on masculinity through organizing workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns.

Such activities should focus on positive role models and different ways of representing gender

identity. Therefore, these projects can meet the pressures of getting involved in crime that may

face people as a means of conforming to the traditional ideals of being a man by providing an

environment and community where men could develop friendships with women and children.

Also, community-based programs allow resources to be delivered to those having difficulty

living up to such standards. Radical possibilities, From counseling services to mentorship

programs and support groups, take account of both practical problems with conforming to

hegemonic masculinity as well as the more difficult emotional and psychological ones.

Future Directions and Research

In the future, researchers should continue scrutinizing trends in such subjects as

masculinity and crime against these changing social attitudes. Examining research that attempts

to explain how factors such as technology, globalization, and the changing paradigm of work

affect attitudes about masculinity themselves, sometimes leading to criminal behavior, can

provide a clearer understanding of what coming social transformations will look like.

Additionally, in regard to the relationship between crime rates and illegal behavior on the one

hand and gender norms on the other, this is a very important subject requiring long-term

attention.
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Longitudinal research examines whether the effects of interventions to change unhealthy

gender norms will endure and if these projects are capable of hindering crime in any way related

to traditional ideals. A comprehensive comprehension requires an interdisciplinary approach.

Those connected with sociology, psychology, criminology, gender studies, and public health

must work together in this field. Together, this type of work can enrich us with more profound

and various views about the complicated relationship between masculinity and crime. These

would be hopes that they will contribute to anti-crime solutions with a more accurate concept of

masculinity.

Furthermore, qualitative research methods such as in-depth interviews and ethnographies

can gather a richer picture of life for the people involved. And what aspects of masculinity were

especially important in these criminals? Synthetically speaking, future research should take the

lead in society and be willing to collaborate with different fields. We hope our conclusions can

help encourage better types of manhood and ones less related to crime.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Different cultural and social understandings of masculinity give rise to

different associations between criminal activity and hegemonic manhood..The masculinity of the

hegemon shapes and rules men, creating male power structures and hierarchies. Such masculinity

is difficult to realize, but it is a benchmark against which men measure themselves. In light of

ongoing empirical data revealing a gender discrepancy in crime rates, the latter motivates even

further investigation into the impact of social expectations on criminal behavior. Connell's idea

of hegemonic masculinity and Social Learning Theory provides insights into the social definition

and relationship between masculinity and crime. Coming to terms with this relationship requires

gender-sensitive criminal justice approaches, education programs that break down those firmly
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rooted in history and culture, community efforts, and additional interdisciplinary research to

promote healthier forms of manhood and prevent women from becoming a soft target.
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