Gender
expectations are engraved in social relationships and institutions and they
impact the way people understand each other and operate in society. According
to Parker (2008) sex comes from biology and anatomy, whereas contemporary
feminist theory usually sees gender as the constructed product of culture
rather than the natural, inevitable product of biology and anatomy. Basically,
sex is related to biology, and gender is related to cultural assignment and the
individual’s choice and portrayal of masculine and feminine qualities.
“Masculinity
is a gender process typically associated with the male sex that impacts gender
relations and personal identities for individuals,” (Locke n.d.). Masculine
traits can be exhibited by any sex or gender, but are most often attributed to
men. “Conceptions of masculinity are often perpetuated through culture and
social institutions, and can change due to challenges and pressures from a
number of sources, ranging from competing definitions of masculinity to environmental
and economic forces,” (Locke n.d.).
“Hegemonic
masculinity sits atop the gendered social hierarchy by embodying the culturally
idealized definition of masculinity, which is constructed as both oppositional
and superior to femininity,” (Locke n.d.). Femininity being the gender process
typically associated the female sex and identity. Connell and James W.
Messerschmitt described the hegemonic ideal as ”…embodying the currently most
honored way of being a man, it required all other men to position themselves in
relation to it, and it ideologically legitimated the global subordination of
women to men,” (Locke n.d.). The hierarchical structure of hegemonic
masculinity does not only grant men ascendancy over women, but also over men
whose identities and characteristics do not align as well with the ideal. Unlike
the physically violent stereotype of masculinity, this hegemonic notion and ideal
of masculinity influences individuals to take on a masculine role and act out
masculinity discursively through comparison and competition with other men, as
well as through idealistic cultural manifestations of masculinity. Those who
perform this gender best are often rewarded through institutions which are shaped
to reward these specific values, like construction work or other physically
demanding jobs, (Locke n.d.).
Parker,
R. D. (2008) How to interpret literature: Critical theory for literary and
cultural students. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Locke, B. T. (n.d.). Hegemonic Masculinity.
Retrieved November 11, 2017, from http://digitalhumanities.unl.edu/resources/students/blocke/militarymasculinitycomplex/hegemonicmasculinity.html
I think I can relate part of my petcha kutcha project to this post. I discussed how the pictures portraying male sports of MNSU's past were pictures of football, wrestling, or other contact sports. Your post helps to prove the idea that males are more likely to engage in contact and masculine sports because of learned behaviors, to be tough you had to participate in a tough sport. This is one of those pressures on youth males. I was wondering how your quote, "Those who perform this gender best are often rewarded through institutions which are shaped to reward these specific values, like construction work or other physically demanding jobs", relates to women who portray the masculine traits. I'm guessing this quote more applies to males who perform this gender best, not so much females. Females are probably more likely policed by portraying masculine characteristics.
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