Lecture 5 Flashcards
(36 cards)
What is gender?
Socially and culturally produced ideas about differences associated with being male or female. Biological differences exist, but what culture makes of these differences is infinitely variable
What is the difference between gender polarization and gender egalitarian?
Makes a big deal about difference versus doesn’t make a big deal-gender is something we build, rather than built in. There is no right way to be masculine or feminine.
What is a good example of how masculinity and femininity are culturally prescribed?
In Canada, the dominant stereotype of masculinity includes the prescription to play hockey. This would be a ridiculous judge of masculinity in Africa.
What are prescriptions?
Widely held beliefs about what men and women should do
What are proscriptions?
Widely shared beliefs about what men and women shouldn’t do.
What is characteristic of masculinities/Femininities?
Refers to meanings and expressions given to being a man in society, includes behavioural prescriptions and proscriptions. Multiple masculinities exist in a society, but usually there is only one dominant form, which is what men are judged by on how well they conform or not (Hegemonic Masculinity, Emphasized Femininity). Your definition of masculinity may be different from societies dominant idea of masculinity. Difference between gender stereotypes and identity
What happens when people violate gender norms?
They are often sanctioned by society, or feel lots of shame
What is Hegemonic Masculinity (concept by R.W. Connell?)
Predominant, or authoritative form of masculinity (even though multiple forms exist). Culturally idealized. Dominant form becomes ideal image of male against which all men are judged. Dominant masculinity is superior to 1) Marginalized masculinities 2) Femininities
What is the type of Hegemonic masculinity explored in North America?
Agentic masculinity-acting independently
What is the emphasized femininity in North America?
Communal.
What are some of the prescriptions of being Agentic?
Leadership, workplace achievement, competitiveness, power-seeking, assertiveness (nothing innate or universal about these traits. This is how you are “supposed” to behave)
What is the idea of active construction?
Men will put more or less energy into trying to live up to the hegemonic expectations. Masculinites are actively produced in society (not programed or fixed in structure)
Is hegemonic masculinity achievable?
No. Not realistic, due to the fact that it’s constructed. This is compensated for by identifying men who are real or fictional as symbolic examples of hegemonic masculinity.
What are the main prescriptions of hegemonic masculinity?
1) Tough guy masculinity-projection of physical toughness and emotional stoicism (proscription: repudiation of the feminine) 2) Breadwinner.
What is emotional stoicism?
Keeping your emotions in tat, Independence, no vulnerability, no weakness, no showings of feelings. Men are meant to be unaffected by emotions
What is physical toughness?
Important to the presentation/performance of hegemonic masculinity. Constantly validated by proving itself as dominant and in control
What is embodied masculinity?
Trend towards male bodies that demonstrate physical toughness or strength in media. Everything is progressively getting more muscular
What is the Adonis Complex?
Belief that ordinary men must look like sculpted Greek statues.
What did Pope et al discover about action figures?
Chest and bicep circumference is getting a lot larger, demonstrating an unachievable standard (without drugs), which may give rise to body dissatisfaction.
Who has the largest biceps?
Greg Valentino. Steroids helped him grow them to 28 inches.
What is the new male ideal?
May be moving towards the strong, skinny type. New regimes, movement, diets. This is also hard to achieve.
What is the body as self paradigm?
Promotes the idea of the body “as the vehicle through which individuals display the self” Also linked to the idea that if you look good, you feel good. One’s self-worth is tied to appearance.
What are some consequences of the body as self paradigm?
1) Body is on display like never before
2) We are encouraged to transform our bodies like never before. Appearance fueled consumer markets.
What is the repudiation of the feminine?
No sissy stuff. One must never do anything that even remotely suggests femininity. A key dimension of masculinity in North America, however repudiation of the masculine is not a key dimension of femininity.
