How Masculinity Has Shaped Feminism and Feminist Thought by Haley Richardson

Masculinity

haleyrichardson115 — 2025-04-20 20:56:30 UTC

The qualities that define traditional traits of men. These are the traits that divide men and women, traditionally.

Example: In elementary school classes the teacher would ask the boys to carry the heavy things and the girls would be asked to switch seats with the "bad" kids.

Toxic Masculinity

haleyrichardson115 — 2025-04-20 20:56:42 UTC

A set of characteristics that define the negative characteristics of men. These are traits of men that negatively harm those around them.

Example: Not believing a women when she describes her experience with sexual assault simply because she is a women.

Hegemonic Masculinity

haleyrichardson115 — 2025-04-20 20:58:11 UTC

The societal powers that validate toxic masculinity. The idea that western culture praises men in our society.

Example: Traits like heteronormative enforce this idea.

Gender Policing

haleyrichardson115 — 2025-04-20 20:58:27 UTC

Actions that enforce gender stereotypes and the patriarchy. The idea that your gender at birth is the only right idea.

Example: The erasure of transgender people.

Raewyn Connell

haleyrichardson115 — 2025-04-20 21:00:34 UTC

An Australian feminist who coined the term hegemonic masculinity. Connell is a "hardline feminist" and identifies strongly with liberal values.

Definition: Raewyn Connell was born January 3rd, 1944.

Bell Hooks

haleyrichardson115 — 2025-04-20 21:00:43 UTC

Bell Hooks was an American feminist. Bell Hooks wrote The Will to Change Men, Masculinity, and Love.

Ideas: She strived for the idea that men and women would be equal, and that women would not be ruled by the institutions of power.

Expectations of men

haleyrichardson115 — 2025-04-20 21:01:07 UTC

Society typically enforces strict expectations on men to embody strength, emotional self-control, and self-reliance without seeking assistance. These gendered assumptions are reinforced by media, familial structures, and educational environments.

Example: Boys are often told they are not allowed to cry.

Final thoughts

haleyrichardson115 — 2025-04-20 21:01:29 UTC

Masculinity has undoubtedly influenced feminist theory at times as a catalyst for feminist opposition, and at other times as a subject feminism seeks to redefine. Feminism challenges conventional teachings regarding gender and power, urging the creation of a world where identity transcends antiquated categories.

Example: Feminist theory advocates for the rethinking of gender as a fluid spectrum rather than a hierarchical structure, affirming the validity and empowerment of all representations.

The Military Selective Service Act

haleyrichardson115 — 2025-04-20 21:06:07 UTC

The law mandates that only men register for the draft, symbolizing an unchanging notion that men are inherently predisposed to war and leadership roles. It claims that masculinity is associated with physical power, protection, and sacrifice, hence maintaining inflexible gender roles.

Example: The exclusion of women from the draft makes it seem that women are less capable than men.

Controversy

haleyrichardson115 — 2025-04-20 21:06:21 UTC

A significant debate on masculinity centers on whether it can be "redefined" or if the concept is intrinsically detrimental. Some contend that restoring "healthy masculinity" is the remedy, but others argue that we must entirely abolish gender boundaries.

Example: Concerning the progressive nature of campaigns such as “#ManUp” or “Men Can Cry Too” vs their potential establishment in destructive gender norms illustrate the divided viewpoints on the matter.

Works Cited

haleyrichardson115 — 2025-04-20 21:06:32 UTC

Heteronormativity. European Institute for Gender Equality. (n.d.). https://eige.europa.eu/publications-resources/thesaurus/terms/1384?language_content_entity=en

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Masculinity definition & meaning. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masculinity

Raewyn Connell. (n.d.). http://www.raewynconnell.net/

SSS. (n.d.-a). https://www.sss.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/MSSA-2003.pdf

Toxic masculinity definition | cambridge english dictionary. (n.d.-b). https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/toxic-masculinity