Hegemonic Masculinity

The author Neil Nunn brings up a very realist and interesting point with his article “It can be dangerous for the uterus”. His article examines social relations aiming more towards the roles of hegemonic masculinity in forming gendered spaces. In the beginning of the article Mr.Nunn starts discussing personal experiences and data collected from his researches in Sao Paulo, Brazil. “I examine the most salient aspects of hegemonic masculinity in the lives of female recyclers” (Nunn 794-17). Through his article he attempts to gain a deeper understanding of socially exist of recyclers in a region called ABC region in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.
Cooperative recycling is a very important growth plan in Brazil and a main way which solid wastes
are ran in the country 's urban areas. This amazing author’s article is able to contribute to the idea of hegemonic masculinity. He is able to explain and convince the reader that gender does not matter when it comes to a role in the work field. If a women wants to be a “Gari” and be part of the recycling cooperatives she can and she will. Gari is a the given to this workers, working in the recycling business. As an argument in his article Nunn suggests the male dominance is not just something that was said by men and made a rule by the male population. Which by that mind set it aims to dominate women, he also brings up the fact that women can reproduce the same act. He constantly brings up the topic that he truly believes in, which is the fact that he affirms the notion by exploring varies ways which hegemonic masculinity and regular views of abilities, social roles and how inabilities are mimicked by “female recyclers” like he says in the beginning of his article. “It can be Dangerous for the Uterus” claims that exploring the inferior position of women is an effective mean to gain a stronger understanding of hegemonic manhood.
Just like the idea of hegemonic masculinity in being a bridge for acceptance to the minor role of a woman in our society. This study is organized by different ways. The author starts of by introducing the different topics of social processes that make gendered spaces. Followed by topics of hegemonic masculinity. Thirdly he goes on to explorer the gendered spaces. In the first two sections its presented with what he found to be the most noticeable characters of hegemonic masculinity in those recyclers lives. Finally the final portion of the article he concentrates on ways hegemonic masculinity, male values and how powers are conversationally constructed and mimicked by women from those work fields. Mr. Nunn performs his studies with two questions. One, “what social processes exist that allow for oppressive behaviors to become socially acceptable and even at times an encouraged form of gender relations?” And two “How is the existence of hegemonic masculinity understood, interpreted, produced, and reproduced by female recyclers
(Gari)?”
Most workers of the recycling industry belongs to the low class in Brazil. They are also considered the most and are considered to be among the most downgraded and marginalized people in the country. Most of the companies are sited in zones that are poor, like in favelas (slums). Recyclers earn a miserable salary that hardly covers the costs of their basic needs.
Thoughout the article the author points out that he would often see male domination happening.
In many cases he would also see women defending themselves by reproducing masculine behaviors. During this study he is able to understand and let the reader understand as well the hegemonic masculinity by In this study, I build on current understandings of hegemonic masculinity by stressing behaviors in which this form of social control is performed and embroiled through the lives of these Garis. He suggests that by recognizing these acts will eventually allow society to have a stronger and deeper understanding of the interesting and curious ways that hegemonic masculinity forms different cultures, mind sets and overall social relations in our century.
After that the author moves along with his studies and comes across good news that even though the Brazilian public views the recyclers negatively, they were still able to achieve some recognition from the government with some support for their work in 2009. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the Workers’ Party (PT) came to agreement to support a social program called Colecao em Acao(Collection in
Action). Coming to a conclusion the reality is that women go to work and right after they go straight to their “second job” their domestic duties. That job consists of cleaning the floor, washing clothes for the whole family, which of course men will not be part of this duties even though they call that home theirs as well. When it comes to clean it’s only the women’s house so she has to do all duties that has to be done, now when its about to claim and talk about how beautiful and what a achievement that house is than it becomes our their house. A very unfair separation but reality according to this article. The fact of a women being the one appointed of domestic responsibilities is a mind set that will take generations to fix and change, but its still not a reason to give up. One thing I have learned so far is that nothing is impossible and with goals, courage, and aspirations we can one day achieve and reconstruct our future generations mind set.

Bibliography Nunn, Neil. ""It can be dangerous for the uterus": hegemonic masculity and cooperative recycling in Sao Paulo, Brazil." 20.6 794-17. Print.

Souza, Manoel. "A Vida de Um Gari." Brasileiros Jornais[Sao Paulo] 20 July 2012, weekend sec. 12. Print.

Coelho, Paulo. Ex-Gari. 1st edition. Sao Paulo, Brazil: EFJedition, 1980. 150-157. Print.