Theories of Masculinity
Masculinity
has it been overlooked?
As Haralambos and Holburn (2013)
explain since the rise of feminism some male sociologists have argued that men
appear invisible when it comes to studies of sex and gender, as there are very
few studies on masculinity. This article will explore and evaluate different
theories of masculinity.
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28 January 2017]
Masculinities R.W Connell
Connell (1995, as cited in Haralambos and Holburn 2013) conducted
studies into how masculinity is changing in contemporary societies by looking
at the variety of different meanings masculinity can have and found the hegemonic
masculinity to be the dominant form.
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28 January 2017]
Hegemonic
Masculinity
the dominant masculine ideal
As Punch, et al (2013) explain hegemony is a term used to
describe the ideal forms of masculinity and femininity. According to Fulcher
and Scott (2011) the dominant ideology for masculinity emphasises physical
toughness, aggression, competition and reason over emotion. Connell (1995, as
cited in Haralambos and Holburn 2013) explains that males who fail to live up
to this ideology can be put down by other males by being called names like,
wimp, push over and mummy’s boys. Connell (2005) supports this by saying there
are specific gender relations of dominance and subordination between different
groups of men specifically men who fail to meet this ideology.
Summary
Connell (1995, as cited in Haralambos and Holburn 2013,
p.153) cites
“men still
remain dominant in social life, but male dominance is no longer automatically
accepted”.
As Haralambos and Holburn (2013) explain Connells
theories are backed up by detailed empirical evidence, but don’t explain the
anxiety and confusion surrounding masculinity.
The making of men M. Ghaill
Ghaill (1994, as cited in Giddens and Sutton 2013) built
on Connells work and conducted a study to see how schools actively create a
different range of masculinities. As cited by Giddens and Sutton (2013, p.644)
“His findings revealed that the school itself
is an institution characterised by gendered and heterosexual patterns”.
Male dominance in
schools
As Swain (2005) explains that schooling gives boys a number of
different opportunities to construct different kinds of masculinity and argues
that boys peer groups have a powerful influence upon this. Ghaill (1994)
himself supports this by saying in English secondary schools masculine
perspectives are dominant with even male teachers perpetuating the dominant
male personality.
The four types of masculinity in schools
Ghaill (1994, as cited in Giddens and Sutton 2013) found four main
types of masculinity in the school setting, the first of these being the macho
lads, which are a group of white working class lads who defy the school
authority and disdainful of students deemed as achievers. The second group as
Ghaill (1994) explains being academic achievers who have a positive orientation
towards the school curriculum, and are stereotyped by the macho lads and even
some teachers. The third group being the new enterprisers, these are the boys
who gravitate towards subjects like business studies and computer science as
Ghaill (1994) explains. As Gahill (1994) says the fourth and final group are
known as the real Englishmen, these are middle class boys who view themselves
as being superior and give the
impression of effortless academic achievement.
Summary
As Kidd and Teagle (2012) explain Ghaill’s theory identifies
diversity in male roles and opens up the possibility for fluidity, choice and a
wider range of options amongst men.
Cultural concepts of masculinity D. Gilmore
Gilmore (1990, as cited in Haralambos and Holburn 2013) studied
the way masculinity is defined within a range of different societies and
cultures, and found that in most societies masculinity is defined by three
typical features.
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Available at:< http://www.leadingmenonly.com/man-protector>[Accessed
28 January 2017]
The three typical features of masculinity
Gilmore (1990, as cited in Harlambos and Holburn) explains that
the first feature of masculinity is man the impregnator, as they are expected
to impregnate women and take initiative when it comes to the dating process.
Gilmore (1990, as cited in Harlambos and Holburn 2013) says that the second
feature is man the provider, as after impregnation men are expected to provide
for themselves and their families. As Gilmore (1990) says the third and final
feature is man the protector, as men must protect their families from other men
and any other threats that may arise.
Summary
According to Haralambos and Holburn (2013) many feminists have
criticized Gilmore’s research for his
claim that men protect and provide for women, however his research does succeed
in showing that culture has strong influences on the ideology of masculinity.
Conclusion
Each theory has made valid contributions to the studies of
masculinity, and shows the hegemonic male as being the dominant male ideology,
leading to a crisis of masculinity for some men, as Ghaill (1994) says about the
macho lads found in schools. Manzoor (2016) supports this in his article for
the telegraph about the recent masculinity crisis and is available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/are-men-in-crisis-dont-believe-all-that-you-read/
Reference
list
Connell, R. (2005) Masculinities.
[e-book] Cambridge: Polity Press. Available at: Google Books Here[Accessed
28 January 2017]
Fulcher, J. and Scott, J. (2011) Sociology. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Ghaill, M. (1994) The Making of Men: Sexualities and Schooling. [e-book] London:
McGraw-Hill Education. Available at: Google Books Here [Accessed 28 January 2017]
Giddens, A. and Sutton, P. (2013) Sociology. 7th ed. Cambridge: Polity Press
Gilmore, D. (1990) Manhood in the Making: Cultural Concepts of Masculinity. [e-book]
Connecticut: Yale University Press. Available at: Google Books Here [Accessed 28 January 2017]
Haralambos, M. and Holburn, M. (2013) Sociology: Themes and Perspectives. 8th ed. London:
Harper Collins Publishers
Kidd, W. and Teagle, A. (2012) Culture and Identity. [e-book] London:
Palgrave Macmillian. Available at: Google Books Here [Accessed 28 January 2017]
Manzoor, S. (2016) Are men in crisis? Don’t
believe all that you read. The Telegraph.
[online] 18 May. Available Here [Accessed 28 January 17]
Punch, S., Marsh, I., Keating, M. and Harden, J. (2013) Sociology: Making Sense of Soceity. 5th
ed. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited
Swain, J. (2005). Masculinities in Education.
In: Connell, R., Hearn, J., and Kimmel, M, eds. (2005) Handbook of Studies on Men and Masculinity. [e-book] California:
Sage. Available at: Google Books Here [Accessed 28 January 2017]
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