Critical Approach To Masculinity

According to Itulua-Abumere (2013) “The sociology of masculinity concerns the critical study of men, their behaviors, practices, values and perspective” (p. 32). It’s important to study with this critical approach because it essentially highlights the way in which men’s power come to be differentiated, naturalized and embedded across all institutions (family, education, work place, government, etc.). In addition, it brings a different perspective to preexisting and gender-biased thinking. The critical approach to this allows sociologist to contribute to the liberation of this power structure of a male-dominated society. In addition, it addresses the problems associated with male gender performance and the cost to men rigorously adhering to
dominant expectations and masculine identity.
Masculinity remains difficult to define, but generally considered the set of behaviors, attributes, beliefs and roles associated with male identity.
Masculinity is socially constructed, but made up of both socially-defined and biologically-created factors. Masculinity is performed through sex role which according to Ryle (2013), “a sex role is then the set of expectations that are attached to your particular category” (p. 31). With this in mind, a boy who categorizes himself as male feels as if he has to exist within a set of cultural expectations for masculine identity. The cultural expectations can be interpreted by researchers, David & Brannon’s (1976) four standards of the traditional American masculinity:
1. “no sissy stuff” Distance self from emotion and feminism
2. “be a big wheel” Strive for success. Breadwinner
3. “be a sturdy oak” Be reliable and stay composed.
4. “give em hell” Always act aggressively and assert
dominance
Although David & Brannon’s work was published almost over thirty years ago, standards of masculinity may vary from time to time. However, masculinity always has intertwined itself as superior and different from femininity. For example, a stay-at-home-father may be viewed as subordinate or less masculinize than a father who is a breadwinner for the family. Sociologist, Michael Kimmel explores a collection of socially constructed attitudes and values that together produce what it means to a be a man which he calls “the guy code.” Kimmel states “there are rules that govern behavior in Guyland, the criteria that will be used to evaluate whether any particular guy measures up” (p. 45). Boys and men must measure up to specific criteria and follow the rules that pertain within “the guy code” or else there will be punishment, so to speak. For example, punishment can be in the form of humiliation, a young boy can be humiliated at school for wearing a pink shirt. He may be teased and called “gay” solely on the notion he violated a rule in “the guy code”. The color pink has been socially constructed to be associated with the female gender.
We live in a society where male dominance is the order of the day, from the family dynamics to the workplace.
Ryle (2013) claims that work has become a deeply gendered institution. Structurally, many institutions support masculinity, for instance, Ryle explains how women’s work is not accounted for in official statistics by international organization. This emphasizes the ignore of women’s work and reinforces this view that men only can be the financial resource in a family. Ryle states “the world of family is presumed to be a feminine domain, work is considered to be the territory of men” (p 364). With this in mind, men are ultimately given the power to contribute to society over women since they are the ones who hold job
positions.
Ryle (2013) states that “men must exert power over actual women but also over any feminine characteristics in themselves because hegemonic masculinity is defined in opposition to anything perceived as feminine” (p 464). In other words, men must ignore at all cost any notions of emotion and affection because society has embedded women to act that way. This reflects the popular saying “don’t cry like a girl”. In addition, men must hold onto their power by reinforcing their aggression which is associated with dominance.