Gendered Analysis Paper

Bayard de Volo’s (2016) article takes a gendered lens to the study of military and drone warfare. Her gendered analysis consequently situates the article in the course when discussing the role of gender. In particular, Bayard de Volo’s article can be seen as an application of Paxton and Hughes’ introduction chapter on gender, as well as Cheng’s article on hegemonic masculinity (Hughes & Paxton, 2014; Cheng, 1999).
Paxton and Hughes (2014) discusses the various definitions and implications of gender. The two authors argue that gender deeply impact one’s perception of another as it is socialized and engrained since birth (Hughes & Paxton, 2014). Consequently, gender biases can be subtle but pervasive in every facet of life. Bayard de Volo’s article is
In particular, Cheng describes the dominant type of masculinity: hegemonic masculinity. This form of masculinity is similar to what is associated with the military-masculinity. Characteristics from Cheng’s article crosses with Bayard de Volo’s article. For example, both see courage, aggressiveness, dominance, strength, and control over emotions as traditional masculine traits (Bayard de Volo, 2016; Cheng, 1999). More importantly, both authors argue that there is a hierarchy within masculinity, where one type is valued and ranked above others. Bayard de Volo’s article is therefore not only consistent with Cheng’s, but contributes to the theme of hegemonic masculinity by examining in the context of the military. Bayard de Volo’s article therefore can be situated in the course material as she argues on the basis of this hierarchy of masculinity, stating that drone warfare does not replicate the hegemonic-masculine ideal, and this consequently unsettles the relationship of military-masculinity due to the growing importance and demand of drone warfare