Analyzing Masculinities through the Work of 21 Jump Street (2012) 21 Jump Street is a great example of how masculinities can be expressed in multiple ways. A typical male is supposed to be perceived by society as being tough, dominant, hard-working, emotionless, loyal, etc. (http://www.psychologyofmen.org/male-gender-role/). However, throughout this movie, the viewers witness many males who act extremely different from one another, but they are still considered to be from the masculine gender. There are a few characters who display diverse forms of masculinity. Some are Jonah Hill’s character named “Schmidt”, who is an undercover police officer; Channing Tatum’s character named “Jenko”, who is Schmidt’s police partner; Rob Riggle’s character
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Connell and Messerschmidt state that “Gramsci’s writing focuses on the dynamics of structural change involving the mobilization and demobilization of whole classes,” (Connell and Messerschmidt 831). Even though he is African American, Captain Dickson does hold rank above Schmidt and Jenko, who are caucasian, and he does build up his social class to be seen as a dominate individual. In addition to Gramsci’s theory, one can see that through discursive and non-discursive realms, the way Captain Dickson speaks to his officers, as well as how seriously he takes his employment, and how aggressive he is when he explains the information about the investigation, proves that he is the hegemonic male between himself, Jenko and …show more content…
Through this, the viewer eventually sees growth from Jenko and Schmidt as they mature into the middle-aged men they are supposed to be. Prior to that, they were in the mental maturity of an average high school student. By the means of 21 Jump Street, viewers can form in their mind what is seen as acceptable masculinity. This film shows that men who are caring, strong, loyal and brave are the ideal, hegemonic males that excel in a society. In conclusion, there are many different forms of masculinity that can be shared in various ways. According to Schrock and Schwalbe, the more aggressive and strong a person is, the higher up an individual can be on the hegemonic masculinity hierarchy. Despite that, if a male were to posses feminine qualities, that does not make them less of a man, but just not the ideal hegemonic male in a
Connell and Messerschmidt state that “Gramsci’s writing focuses on the dynamics of structural change involving the mobilization and demobilization of whole classes,” (Connell and Messerschmidt 831). Even though he is African American, Captain Dickson does hold rank above Schmidt and Jenko, who are caucasian, and he does build up his social class to be seen as a dominate individual. In addition to Gramsci’s theory, one can see that through discursive and non-discursive realms, the way Captain Dickson speaks to his officers, as well as how seriously he takes his employment, and how aggressive he is when he explains the information about the investigation, proves that he is the hegemonic male between himself, Jenko and …show more content…
Through this, the viewer eventually sees growth from Jenko and Schmidt as they mature into the middle-aged men they are supposed to be. Prior to that, they were in the mental maturity of an average high school student. By the means of 21 Jump Street, viewers can form in their mind what is seen as acceptable masculinity. This film shows that men who are caring, strong, loyal and brave are the ideal, hegemonic males that excel in a society. In conclusion, there are many different forms of masculinity that can be shared in various ways. According to Schrock and Schwalbe, the more aggressive and strong a person is, the higher up an individual can be on the hegemonic masculinity hierarchy. Despite that, if a male were to posses feminine qualities, that does not make them less of a man, but just not the ideal hegemonic male in a