Hegemonic masculinity is defined as a “gender studies concept that makes up of the proposed practices that promote the dominant social position of men, and the subordinate social position of women” (Campbell, the Guardian). This form of masculinity within the gender hierarchy and the modern male stereotype is one that harms men more than we think. Since the mid twentieth century, social scientists, historians and philosophers have theorized “that gender- the roles, characteristics and activities that distinguish men from women- are not innate, but socially constructed” (Moma, Constructing Gender)
A popular and powerful form of expression in today’s society is addressing issues through the concept of visual activism. In How to See the World, Mirzoeff believes that “Visual thinking is something we do not simply study; we have to engage with it ourselves” (Mirzoeff, 289). The tool of art, creation and visual protest is a form of communicating opinions, worldviews, information and to ultimately seek change. There is a saying that from the day we were born, we were instantly placed in gender stereotypes. From a young age, society and the media wires and constructs our brains to follow a specific stereotype for our gender- boys and men are told to “be a man”, “to grow some balls” and to show no emotion or empathy. Women and girls are told to always look presentable, to be polite- this social construction from a young age has developed a society full of gender stereotypes that apply to our everyday lives. Tricia Szirom explores this social construction of gender mentalities and stereotypes in ‘Teaching Gender’ and states that “The process is successful when the ‘double standards’ is internalized; what is acceptable behaviours for one sex is then known to be unacceptable for the other, and both females and males will conform to their rigid sex role stereotypes”. These ideals create the idea that men have to repress their emotions and conform to emotionless, detached mentalities. The harm that this stereotype and social construct is inflicting is however not often seen on the surface as men are yes, not supposed to show any emotion or “care” in that matter. In R.W Connell’s academic text, ‘Hegemonic Masculinity: Rethinking the concept, the concept of masculinity in terms of a social construction is present as well. “Hegemonic masculinity was understood as the pattern of practice (i.e. Things done, not just a set of role expectations or an identity)” (Connell, 842) and “The concept of hegemonic masculinity originally was formulated with a strong awareness of psychoanalytic arguments about the layered and contradictory character of personality, the everyday contestation in social life, and the mixture of strategies necessary in any attempt to sustain hegemony (Carrigan, Connell, and Lee 1985; Connell 1987).
Campbell, Denis. "Body Image Concerns More Men Than Women, Research Finds". the Guardian. N.p., 2012.
Connell, R. W. "Hegemonic Masculinity: Rethinking The Concept". Gender & Society 19.6 (2005): 829-859. Web.
Mirzeoff, Nicholas. How to See the World. 2015. Pelican Books. Print
"Moma | Constructing Gender". Moma.org. N.p., 2016.
Szirom, Tricia. Teaching Gender. Sydney: Allen & Unwin, 1988. Print.
