Hegemonic Masculinity In Canada

Masculinity and the ideals of manhood are not universal; place and time are factors of masculinity and hegemonic masculinity is no different. According to R.W Connell hegemonic masculinity is the one form of masculinity in society that has the most authority and influence on boys and men of that society. This form of masculinity sits at the top of the masculinity hierarchy and as a result those who attempt conform to hegemonic masculinity not only gain an advantage and privilege over other forms manhood but also over both genders (Connell, 171). However, because hegemonic masculinity is an unattainable ideal, men often go to extremes to confirm their masculinity to themselves and other men in their lives. Using the articles "’Talk About Strenuous
The first is the ideal of the “self -made man”. This form of masculinity according to Stacy Lorenz and Geraint B Osborne, is idealized by the middle class and it incorporates characteristics such as “industrious, sober, religious, compassionate, morally upright and responsible for his own welfare and that of his family” (129). The other form of manhood is idealized by the working class in Canada and is one where their masculine identity is formed in their leisure time. This masculine ideal is characterized by “such activities as drinking, gambling, fighting, and blood sports” (Lorenz and Osborne 129). Men utilize these individual masculinities together by applying the characteristics of the “self made man” into their career and family life and by applying the “leisure manhood” characteristics in their social life. Therefore, forming a theoretically, cohesive masculine identity. Boys and men learn to incorporate these two forms of masculinity through “fraternal orders, fire brigades, militia companies, and sports clubs” (Lorenz and Osborne 130). Essentially, hegemonic masculinity is taught and learnt in spaces of male comradery, and male mentorships (fathers to sons, coaches to players and male peer
These narratives reinforce the link between masculinity and violence as it forces men to feel that their manhood is threatened by women. Therefore, breaking the narratives and starting new ones where feminism can be viewed not as a dividing tool women use for a power grab but a uniting tool used to shed light on the harm hegemonic masculinity can cause resulting in progress for both genders. To break the link between masculinity and violence boys and men need to be taught that emotions, and being gay are not anti-masculine but that masculinity is a malleable and one ideal should not be the standard but that they can make masculinity their own. Overall, to reduce the negative impact of toxic masculinity on people of all genders campaigns like the White Ribbon which is “the largest effort in the world of men working to end violence against women” (White Ribbon Campaign 188). This campaign works to reduce the negative impact of toxic masculinity for people of all genders as it forces men to face and challenge their perception of masculinity and to counter the serious issue of violence against