R. W. Connell Define Hegemonic Masculinity

Hegemonic masculinity describes the idea of the typical masculine man. In this definition, it defines men as the powerful dominant ones, and women as the subordinate. This idea can be seen is R.W. Connell’s text “The Social Organization of Masculinity”. “The concept of “hegemony”, deriving from Antonio Gramsci’s analysis of class relations, refers to the cultural dynamic by which a group claims and sustains a leading position in social life” (Connell 77). In order to be able to define the typical hegemonic man, it is important to be able to define masculinity. Connell points out there there is no one single definition, but when thinking about masculinity some words often come to mind. Some of these words include strong, brave, aggressive, and powerful. When the word masculine is used, it is also often assumed that one is talking about a heterosexual man. What is it about hegemonic men that attract so many women? Is it society pushing them, physical appearance, or maybe just personal preference. “There are social and historical explanations for why we do what we do, feel what we feel, and have the attractions we do”
(Crane 1). In order to understand this idea, it is important to look at social and historical ideas and explanations as well as present day theories. There are several different explanations for why women are attracted to who they are, as well as the choices they make in relationships. One of these reasons being that women want to choose a man that will help them create and raise the best family possible. The biological essentialist point of view claims that female attraction to masculine men is based off of the need for a powerful man to take care of them so they and their children can survive (Crane 3). For most of history, and even some what today, many women have been thought of as the ones who stay home, take care of the children, cook, and clean, while the man of the house goes out and works so that he is able to provide for his family, therefor; creating this idea that women need a strong masculine man to have a “successful” family. It can also be argued that it is society pressuring women. “Why is it that all too often girls and women choose men who “aren’t good for them?” Is it, at some level, the promise of status or economic security?” (Crane 1). Going along with this idea, other theories state that people choose their mates based on the specific genes that will be passed on to the next generation (Urbaniak). This meaning that women will pick a man who has preferable traits such as good health, good looks, and so on, so that her children will then be given these same traits. Women also tend to be more careful and thoughtful in selecting their first mate, compared to other mates throughout their life. “Women typically produce only one viable egg per month, and, if they do become pregnant, they must carry the fetus for 9 months, as well as raise the child to adulthood. Due to this high level of parental investment, women are predicted to be more selective in their choices for a mate; they are theorized to seek a single man who is likely to provide resources to help raise the child” (Urbaniak 210).
Along with this comes the idea that different types of relationships can effect that type of mate someone will choose. For example, a long-term relationship vs. a short-term sexual relationship. A study discussed by Urbaniak found that both men and women had higher expectations for their romantic partners and romantic relationships then their sexual partners and sexual relationships. Expectations of long-term relationships were based off of factors like “interpersonal skill and responsiveness”, and this included things such as friendliness and attentiveness to personal needs (Urbaniak). Expectations of short-term, casual, and sexual relationships were based off of things like physical attractiveness. Overall, this particular study found that men and women both found sexual desirability to be more important in short-term sexual relationships, and social and personal appeals and characteristics to be more important when thinking about long-term relationships (Urbaniak).
Similar to long-term and short-term relationships are emotion vs. physical relationships. These ideas are very similar. Women interested in more of a physical relationship are going to look for different things in a man then if they are interested in more of an emotional relationship (Urbaniak). Most of the characteristics are similar to those women were looking for in short term vs. long term relationships. Things like kindness, agreeability, and responsiveness (Urbaniak). These different types of relationships affect the types of men women are choosing to date and be involved, and something similar to this is the effect of physical characteristics on dating preference and dating behavior.
It is commonly thought that when choosing a significant other, looks are most often considered. It is often thought that physical attractiveness is a more important factor for men then it is for women, however, this is not the case. Walster argues that physicality just as important for women as it is for men, “The more attractive the man, the more his partner likes him and the more often she says she wants to date him again” (Walster 514). According to Walster, in some cases, physical attractiveness is even the driving force behind a woman’s decision to date someone. “Sheer physical attractiveness appears to be the overriding determinant of liking” (Walster 514). What physical characteristics are making these men attractive though? Women are often imagined as most attracted to men who are tall with long hair, golden bodies, and Adonis-like features. In other words: a man who looks masculine. Along with physical attractiveness comes the stereotypes associated with dating and dating behavior.
A few stereotypes that are common when it comes to different types of men are “the nice guy”, “the jerk”, “the jock”, “the tough guy”, to name a few. It is not common to hear women say something along the things of “I want a nice, sensitive guy, but I always end up falling for the jerks”. Why is it that women are attracted to the men who are jerks if they are jerks? According to Crane, “these women were subconsciously looking for men to protect them, and were willing to pay the price in violence and domination for the status that dating a “tough guy” brought” (Crane 23). In a lot of circles, it is seen as “cool” to be dating the mysterious tough guy, even if he is a jerk (Crane). “Why do intelligent, assertive girls overlook sweet, caring guys to date “jerks,” the males whose commitment to traditional masculinity makes them popular with other males, but who treat girls and women poorly” (Crane 1). This “jerk” can possess qualities that at first seem attractive but can later on be considered bad qualities. “The gentle, compassionate man who reads magazine surveys indicating that his qualities are the very ones that most women prefer in a mate may be the same man who is repeatedly turned down by women who seek the company of more atavistic males. Women go for heroes while saying they want vulnerability and later try to persuade their partners to become more sensitive and vulnerable, rather than initially pursuing sensitive and vulnerable men” (McDaniel 347). Something called “the nice guy phenomenon” has actually been developed due to these different stereotypes.
This “nice guy” is defined as altruistic, agreeable, generous, kind, and nondominant.
According to this “nice guy phenomenon”, women should want to date this type of guy (McDaniel). The opposite to this nice guy, is the not so nice jerk. When asked to describe this type of guy, words that came up were mysterious, daring, arrogant, and dangerous (McDaniel). This idea is described by the following 34-year-old woman. “Until a woman is mature enough, really knows her- self and is ready for a solid relationship, I believe she will gravitate towards the ‘bad boys.’ Those relationships don’t last, which deep down inside is fine with her because she doesn’t really want it to. How- ever, when she grows up (as I have now) she changes her definition of what’s interesting and attractive— the stability and predictability of a nice guy become magnetic (McDaniel
347)”.