Understanding Hegemonic Masculinities in Nerd Culture
In this essay I will explore the theory of hegemonic masculinities in relation to two texts, the first being the theoretical framework in the book chapter Understanding Men on Television (Lotz), then I will show how this theory of hegemonic masculinities plays out in Your Princess is in Another Castle; Misogyny, Entitlement, and Nerds (Chu). The ideas of hegemonic masculinities can be understood in relation to what it means to be apart of the dominant groups within nerd culture, as well as what power is then awarded to you because of this status. The effects on society because of this can be widely noted, with particular examples of ‘maleness’ on television.
To understand the concept …show more content…
The work by Connell sought to find a way of thinking about the complicated make up of masculinity and power within wider society. Situating masculinities as hegemonic created the ability to talk about masculinity that was not just as a singular existence but something that has multiple facets, and can vary within different parts of society. This approach put femininity at the center of opposition to masculinity, and often made determinism or essentialism claims of sex roles. Although this can be used to illustrate the constructed nature of both femininity and masculinity, and the cultural rewards surrounding the two (Lotz 37). It needs to be understood that the ideas of masculinity are not ‘natural’ male traits but something that is socially constructed, and enforced in our expectation of what it means to be a …show more content…
The idea that a man must be in a relationship with a woman or having that desire is of huge important in many hegemonic masculinities. As this is described by Chu as often a problematic system in which many men fixate on this idea, and can often end badly for those involved (Chu). As well as this relating to the sense of entitlement within men, it also creates what Chu refers to as frustration, and that can often turn to hostility and rage in the form of rape, or even potential murder. This is a problematic attitude within society, Chu does not suggest that this is the case for all people within nerd culture, but he suggests that it is something that is a problem, he identifies a rape and entitlement culture within the community, while clearly stating that these nerd men are not the victim, because they are not “getting laid” (Chu). Maintaining the argument that women are the oppressed, and women are the ones who should be entitled to ownership over their own bodies, and
In this essay I will explore the theory of hegemonic masculinities in relation to two texts, the first being the theoretical framework in the book chapter Understanding Men on Television (Lotz), then I will show how this theory of hegemonic masculinities plays out in Your Princess is in Another Castle; Misogyny, Entitlement, and Nerds (Chu). The ideas of hegemonic masculinities can be understood in relation to what it means to be apart of the dominant groups within nerd culture, as well as what power is then awarded to you because of this status. The effects on society because of this can be widely noted, with particular examples of ‘maleness’ on television.
To understand the concept …show more content…
The work by Connell sought to find a way of thinking about the complicated make up of masculinity and power within wider society. Situating masculinities as hegemonic created the ability to talk about masculinity that was not just as a singular existence but something that has multiple facets, and can vary within different parts of society. This approach put femininity at the center of opposition to masculinity, and often made determinism or essentialism claims of sex roles. Although this can be used to illustrate the constructed nature of both femininity and masculinity, and the cultural rewards surrounding the two (Lotz 37). It needs to be understood that the ideas of masculinity are not ‘natural’ male traits but something that is socially constructed, and enforced in our expectation of what it means to be a …show more content…
The idea that a man must be in a relationship with a woman or having that desire is of huge important in many hegemonic masculinities. As this is described by Chu as often a problematic system in which many men fixate on this idea, and can often end badly for those involved (Chu). As well as this relating to the sense of entitlement within men, it also creates what Chu refers to as frustration, and that can often turn to hostility and rage in the form of rape, or even potential murder. This is a problematic attitude within society, Chu does not suggest that this is the case for all people within nerd culture, but he suggests that it is something that is a problem, he identifies a rape and entitlement culture within the community, while clearly stating that these nerd men are not the victim, because they are not “getting laid” (Chu). Maintaining the argument that women are the oppressed, and women are the ones who should be entitled to ownership over their own bodies, and