When we think of the military and war essential components of international relations, we think of men as soldiers, men as protectors we consider war itself as violent as well as the men participating (Youngs, 2004, p.85). The military and nonconventional forces are therefore heavily masculinized. To understand why rape is used as a weapon of war, it also important to understand the context in which masculinity in militaries and armed forces develops but also understand the concept of hegemonic masculinity. By having a clear understanding of masculinity we are able to gain a better understanding of why rape is used as a weapon of war. This section of the essay aims to first outline what is meant by hegemonic masculinity. Secondly it will look
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All men do not have to subscribe to this form of masculinity rather men must aim to achieve to conform to this masculinity in order for it to become hegemonic (Connell, 2005, p.823). This hegemonic masculinity is not also fixed but it can shift over time (Alison, 2007 ,p.76) However there are some components that seem to remain constant, being strong and having strength, having sexual proses, being the protector if women and within this is also about posseting some aggression (Alison, 2007, p.76). In terms of sexual prowess and masculinity this is often linked to heterosexuality (Alison, 2007, p.77 and Hague, 1997, p. 54-55).As has been mentioned those who do not possess this form of masculinity suffer under that hegemonic power structure (Youngs, 2004, p.85). It’s important to have a understanding of what is meant by hegemonic masculinity as when look at the concept of masculinity within the military as a way to analyse why rape is a weapon of war, it can often been used to reinforce that hegemonic masculinity and make inferior other forms of masculinity(Connell, 2005, p.823).
Masculinity and the Military International relations is highly informed by notions of gender. War and international relations are highly entrenched in ideas of patriarchy and ideas of
All men do not have to subscribe to this form of masculinity rather men must aim to achieve to conform to this masculinity in order for it to become hegemonic (Connell, 2005, p.823). This hegemonic masculinity is not also fixed but it can shift over time (Alison, 2007 ,p.76) However there are some components that seem to remain constant, being strong and having strength, having sexual proses, being the protector if women and within this is also about posseting some aggression (Alison, 2007, p.76). In terms of sexual prowess and masculinity this is often linked to heterosexuality (Alison, 2007, p.77 and Hague, 1997, p. 54-55).As has been mentioned those who do not possess this form of masculinity suffer under that hegemonic power structure (Youngs, 2004, p.85). It’s important to have a understanding of what is meant by hegemonic masculinity as when look at the concept of masculinity within the military as a way to analyse why rape is a weapon of war, it can often been used to reinforce that hegemonic masculinity and make inferior other forms of masculinity(Connell, 2005, p.823).
Masculinity and the Military International relations is highly informed by notions of gender. War and international relations are highly entrenched in ideas of patriarchy and ideas of