Masculinity - Multiple Masculinities

Multiple Masculinities

Masculinity is not a conscious process; it is perpetuated through social institutions and is enforced and policed through individual interactions. R.W. Connell introduced the idea of multiple masculinities rather than a single category that every man fits into. He recognizes that there are intersections and variations of masculinity based on race, location, culture, time period, age, ability, etc. and developed four classifications: hegemony, subordination, complicity, and marginalization.

Hegemonic masculinity is the norm, something that men are expected to aspire to and that women are discouraged from associating with. “Hegemonic masculinity can be defined as the configuration of gender practice which embodies the currently accepted answer to the problem of the legitimacy of patriarchy, which guarantees the dominant position of men and the subordination of women.” (Connell, 2001) The military, top levels of businesses, and government agencies provide leading examples of this facet of masculinity within society. It is an expectation of what a “real man” should act and look like, but in reality no one can successfully achieve hegemony.

Connell's idea of hegemonic masculinity is not only seen in men but it is clear among young children in school as well. This concept invokes a leading way of doing gender relations that implements the gender order status quo by raising the general status of masculine qualities over feminine qualities. The idea of hegemonic masculinity in the context of young boys is used to re-create gender order in childhood play where the general ideas of men's dominance are learned and reinforced.

Subordinate masculinity is the cultural authority of heterosexual men and subordination of homosexual men. “Gayness” is viewed as the polar opposite of what masculinity entitles a man to be; therefore it is associated with femininity and is politically, economically, and culturally attacked. Heterosexual men view gay men in the same light that they view women, meaning that there is an innate need for dominance. This leads to the subordination of men who present their masculinity in the “wrong” way and are seen as having a failed hegemonic masculinity.

Complicit masculinity is the categorization of men who connect with hegemony but do not fully represent hegemonic masculinity. “A great many men who draw the patriarchal dividend also respect their wives and mothers, are never violent towards women, do their accustomed share of the housework, bring home the family wage, and can easily convince themselves that feminists must be bra-burning extremists.” (Connell, 2001) Men that fall into this category do not receive the same benefits and privileges as those who are seen as purely hegemonic.

Marginalized masculinity is the authorization of the hegemonic masculinity. Men who fall into this category benefit less from the hegemonic ideal because of traits other than their gender behavior. “Race relations may also become integral part of the dynamic between masculinities. In a white-supremacist context, black masculinities play symbolic roles for white gender construction.” (Connell, 2001) In other words, the hegemonic masculinity among whites maintains the oppression against the masculinity among blacks.

Though these concepts have been discussed in context to men, masculinity affects everyone. Both men and women can benefit from or be oppressed by the expectations of masculinity that are meant to be lived up to in society.