The term hegemonic masculinity is defined as the idealised form of masculinity in society. It is also used to describe the formation of practices that allow the dominance and subordination of women to continue. The dominance is not only subjected externally to the opposite gender, but is also subjected internally and allows hegemonic masculinity to have dominance over the softer, or weaker masculinities in society as well. In this essay, Raewyn Connell’s concept of Hegemonic masculinity will be explored, providing history and context in how it relates to today’s society. The essay will then explore and discuss how hegemonic masculinity can is connected to male violence, or violent behaviour, particularly in relation to hate crimes against
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(Connell, 1995; Demetriou, 2001; Wedgwood, 2009). Connell’s theory of hegemonic masculinity is sort as, one of the most influential and has been used in a vast range of studies including criminology, sexuality and gender relations. (Demetriou, 2001). The concept of hegemony according to Connell (1995), is descripted as the dominance within society as a whole and therefore in relation to masculinity, hegemonic masculinity is described as the most idealised masculinity in society and leads men to believe that it is the most esteemed way to be and that they need to position and alter themselves in relation to it. However, hegemonic masculinity is not one certain type of masculinity, but is proposed to be the masculinity that exalts over all others, at that period of time or cultural location and it may also differ in levels of society, for example; what appears to be hegemonic at a local level, may alter when studied at a global level (Connell, 1995; Connell, 2014). The important feature of hegemonic masculinity in society is not only the subordination over women/femininities; thus demonstrated in patriarchy, but also over subordinate and marginalised masculinities. The hegemony over other masculinities is best demonstrated by the dominance over homosexual men, whom …show more content…
This is through external subordination of women / femininity, as well as internal subordination between men or alternate masculinities to hegemonic masculinity (Connell, 1995). The dominance over homosexual men by the heterosexual, is an important notion in relation to gender relations, particularly the hegemonic masculinity concept. The ideal description of manhood is perceived by growing up heterosexually and therefore the concept of homophobia, of becoming something that is not accepted, is tightly constructed with hegemonic masculinity (Dean, 2013). The concept of homophobia is exposed to young men from a young age, growing up with stereotyped comments like ‘fag’ in primary school, although not always intentionally meant in the harsh way adults might phrase it, still introduces a fear into them, to detach themselves from anything classified as feminine or ‘sissy’ behaviour and begin to be afraid of the term homophobia itself (Plummer, 2005). As these men grow up, their beliefs grow stronger, as they try to secure their place among society and demonstrate that they conform to the hegemonic masculinity concept. This fear of becoming unaccepted in society, is what initiates men to act irrationally and potentially violent and due to homosexuality becoming the epitome of what is not accepted within the hegemonic masculinity, it increases the
(Connell, 1995; Demetriou, 2001; Wedgwood, 2009). Connell’s theory of hegemonic masculinity is sort as, one of the most influential and has been used in a vast range of studies including criminology, sexuality and gender relations. (Demetriou, 2001). The concept of hegemony according to Connell (1995), is descripted as the dominance within society as a whole and therefore in relation to masculinity, hegemonic masculinity is described as the most idealised masculinity in society and leads men to believe that it is the most esteemed way to be and that they need to position and alter themselves in relation to it. However, hegemonic masculinity is not one certain type of masculinity, but is proposed to be the masculinity that exalts over all others, at that period of time or cultural location and it may also differ in levels of society, for example; what appears to be hegemonic at a local level, may alter when studied at a global level (Connell, 1995; Connell, 2014). The important feature of hegemonic masculinity in society is not only the subordination over women/femininities; thus demonstrated in patriarchy, but also over subordinate and marginalised masculinities. The hegemony over other masculinities is best demonstrated by the dominance over homosexual men, whom …show more content…
This is through external subordination of women / femininity, as well as internal subordination between men or alternate masculinities to hegemonic masculinity (Connell, 1995). The dominance over homosexual men by the heterosexual, is an important notion in relation to gender relations, particularly the hegemonic masculinity concept. The ideal description of manhood is perceived by growing up heterosexually and therefore the concept of homophobia, of becoming something that is not accepted, is tightly constructed with hegemonic masculinity (Dean, 2013). The concept of homophobia is exposed to young men from a young age, growing up with stereotyped comments like ‘fag’ in primary school, although not always intentionally meant in the harsh way adults might phrase it, still introduces a fear into them, to detach themselves from anything classified as feminine or ‘sissy’ behaviour and begin to be afraid of the term homophobia itself (Plummer, 2005). As these men grow up, their beliefs grow stronger, as they try to secure their place among society and demonstrate that they conform to the hegemonic masculinity concept. This fear of becoming unaccepted in society, is what initiates men to act irrationally and potentially violent and due to homosexuality becoming the epitome of what is not accepted within the hegemonic masculinity, it increases the