Lesson 10: Men and Masculinities Introduction to Women’s Studies Robert Wonser

Lesson 10: Men and Masculinities

Introduction to Women’s StudiesRobert Wonser

Lesson 10: Men and Masculinities 2

What do We think about ourselves? Ask Google


Masculinity as Opposite of Femininity


Masculinity, some notes

Refer back to the lists we put on the board Masculinity is defined by what it is not,

namely femininity. Masculinity is primarily a homosocial

activity.Girl watchingGender policing


Masculinity in Context We come to know what it means to be a

man by setting our definitions in opposition to a set of ‘others’—racial minorities, sexual minorities, and above all women.

This is how masculinities are stratified.


Masculinity changes through time

Firmly rooted in social context: Genteel patriarch – derived identity from land

ownership (supervising his estate, he was refined, elegant and given to casual sensuousness)

Heroic artisan – embodied the physical strength and republican virtue that Jefferson observed in the farmer, independent urban craftsman or shopkeeper

Marketplace masculinity – normative definition of masculinity. Involves aggression, competition, anxiety in the public sphere, marketplace


How do you Insult a Man?


Homophobia; men are afraid of other men We come to know what it means to be a

man by setting our definitions in opposition to a set of ‘others’—racial minorities, sexual minorities, and above all women

Hegemonic masculinity is the image of masculinity of those men in power, which has become the standard for evaluations for young men to become ‘real men’.


Manhood:

“No Sissy Stuff!” Never do anything remotely feminine; ever.

“Be a Big Wheel.” Masculinity is measured by power, success, wealth

and status “Be a Sturdy Oak.”

Calm and reliable in crisis. Keep emotions in check; always.

“Give ‘em Hell.” Exude an aura of manly daring and aggression. Go

for it. Take risks.


Sexuality

Which explains the performative aspects of Masculinity. Ultimately, we perform for other men.

Heteronormativity And heterosexism Male gender policing often takes the form of violence

and sexuality questioning Hegemonic masculinity To always be ‘in control’ Violence (use of, threat of and condoning of)


The Betrayal of the American Man

For some men it is hard to recognize themselves as dominators when they feel dominated

According to Faludi, “women were able to take action, paradoxically, by understanding how they were acted upon. Men feel the contours of a box, too, but they are told that the box is of their own manufacture, designed to their specifications.”

WWII veterans, masculinity revolved around providing rather than dominating


Post WWII Affluence quickly Gave way to Deindustrialization Old masculinity is unavailable (was

predicated on providing). Men are told to be masculine is to

consume and buy the right products. And to look like this Ultimately, leads to failure


Man Up!


Men have no clearly defined enemy who is oppressing them. Who is it?

Men have invented antagonists to make their problems visible—scheming feminists, affirmative-action proponents, illegal aliens—have come to seem increasingly unconvincing as explanations for their situation.


Masculinity in Crisis

Where do men fit in in a culture where we’ve focused on what it is to be feminine but haven’t updated our definitions of masculinity to mesh with our contemporary culture and economic reality.


Our expectations for women have changed, what about what we expect for men?


Angry White Men

Increasingly men have been turning to new (some, not all or entirely) methods to demonstrate masculinity.

Can you think of any?

Documents

Lesson 10: Men and Masculinities Introduction to Women’s Studies Robert Wonser