Feminist Theories of Masculinity by Bollmeyer, Jada

Introduction

bollmeyj — 2025-04-17 17:43:26 UTC

Importance to Me

bollmeyj — 2025-04-17 17:43:33 UTC

I think masculinity as it pertains to feminism is an interesting and necessary conversation. When discussing mental health, sexual assault, homophobia, racism, classism, etc., men are often excluded from the conversation. Of course, they are not completely omitted, but women tend to lead these conversations due to their epistemic privilege and added gender discrimination. In the past, I have found it strange that there are far less men's shelters, single father aid, etc. when these seem to be everywhere for women. I am fully in support of these women-specific aids, but men are subject to abusive wives/mothers and single parenthood as well. Overall, I think the topic is worth exploring if feminism is truly about gender equality.

Key Terms

bollmeyj — 2025-04-17 17:43:49 UTC

Masculinity: qualities or attributes regarded as characteristic of men or boys

Although Western society is trying to progress, masculinity is often associated with virility, apathy, and physical strength.

"F*g Discourse": jokes, taunts, imitations, and threats which men rely on to signal their rejection of what is considered “unmasculine”

Key Figures

bollmeyj — 2025-04-17 17:44:05 UTC

R.W. Connell: A sociologist who developed the concept of "hegemonic masculinity," which describes the dominant form of masculinity in a society

bollmeyj — 2025-04-17 17:44:36 UTC

Gillette Razor Commercial

bollmeyj — 2025-04-17 17:44:53 UTC

Gillette, the razor company, launched a commercial in 2019 in response to the Me Too movement. They "urge men to hold each other to a higher standard and to step up when they see fellow men acting inappropriately towards women". It has since received intense criticism, and the company has completely wiped its existence from its brand. Many men called for a boycott of these razors. Ironically, Gillette charges more for women's razors than men's, contributing to the Pink Tax.

bollmeyj — 2025-04-17 17:45:06 UTC

One argument in this video that I found particularly interesting was the lack of male K-12 teachers and how that affects young men. Children that do not have proper mother and father figures, if any, often look to their teachers as role-models and examples. When young men have do not have fathers, or have fathers that embrace toxic masculinity, they often do not have an example of how a man can respectfully maintain control through kindness and empathy. It is innate for humans to seek others with similar identity, and when men cannot do that because of gender discriminations in hiring K-12 teachers, they feel underrepresented and misunderstood. Assuredly, any teacher or any identity can also serve as an example to anyone, but children long to connect with those that they feel would most understand them.

"Masculinity" in Historical Laws

bollmeyj — 2025-04-17 17:45:25 UTC

"In 1885, Britain raised the age of consent for sex for women from as low as 10 to 16. Yet this new Act came with a higher penalty for offenses against girls under the age of 13."

"In 1861, a London bylaw made it illegal to hit your wife between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Unsurprisingly, it was not the strive for equality that resulted in this by-law. The rationale was that the noise involved in the beating of your wife kept people awake."

Key Figures

bollmeyj — 2025-04-18 21:52:11 UTC

C.J. Pearce: Author and educator with focuses on gender, inequality, education, and sexuality.

Expansion upon Pearce's Argument: Use of "Locker Room Talk" in the US Justice System

bollmeyj — 2025-04-18 22:16:20 UTC