Hegemonic Masculinity Essay

Hegemonic masculinity as one of the structure of gender relations and also a typical type of masculinity is formed and developed by society over time. ‘Hegemonic masculinity is not a fixed character type, always and everywhere the same. It is, rather, the masculinity that occupies the hegemonic position in a given pattern of gender relations…’ (Whitehead, S. 2001) Hegemonic masculinity also refers to the cultural and gender relationship between men and women, and thus men is on a leading position in social life. First, since Hegemonic notions of masculinity are ’defined’ as a ‘real man’, hegemonic masculinity follows the heteronormative norms. Furthermore, hegemonic masculinity reproduces the rule that men stand on a dominant social position.
Hegemonic category of masculinity, different as all other types of social ideological thoughts, desire directly to women which follows both formal and informal regulation of sexuality as it sometimes directs to position of families and ‘in terms of social regulation, the social institution of marriage is maintained through both formal and informal controls’ (Hawkes, G. 2005). Hegemonic masculinity in some stages is most natural and honored way of being men. ‘ In the formalized regulation, this typical type of sexuality or marriage is approved by law through over the world undoubtedly, likewise, ‘gay marriage’ is still not allowed in some countries. Based on informal regulation, heterosexuality is an ideal arrangement. ‘Popular culture extols ‘healthy’ forms of heterosexuality’ (Hawkes, G. 2005) Biologically men have only one innate orientation- a sexual one that draws them to women…’(Jackson, S. 1996) Heteronomativity, that indicates as complementary genders with natural roles in life, is a mainstream sexuality, a dominant cultural system in the society. Hegemonic masculinity is also demanded by most of men. Additionally, it clearly separated gender into men and women, which follows both the essential physical and psychological