SOCI 2P38 Lecture Notes - Hegemonic Masculinity, Masculinity, Femininity
23 May 2014
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Document Summary
Gender only lens/ approach is insufficient: gendered attitudes limit us; i. e. , boys will be boys". Women are naturally caregivers" real men don"t cry": we experience and demonstrate a range of the qualities; to limit ourselves is damaging, confusing term: multiple misconceptions about gender and sex, how natural" it is, biological basis, etc. Dichotomy: gender"s basis: gender is structured upon a binary: we are either male or a female, but it seems not both, binary: dividing an idea/concept into two distinct parts, result: polarizing. Devalue one half while overvalue the other: examples: instinct/reason, nature/nurture, good/bad, man/woman, traits associated with the masculine are overvalued, those associated with femininity are devalued, male traits: independence, emotional reserve, strength. Hegemonic masculinity: form of male behaviour and expression of male identity that seeks to reinforce men"s power and patriarchal values, based on characteristics such as: competition ambition, homophobia, physical strength, slef-reliance.
