Hegemonic Masculinity and Addressing Gender Inequality

Abstract

This article is concerned with how uptake of the concept of hegemonic masculinity as a “type”, has resulted in the idea that “changing men” is a solution to gender inequality. Men are subsequently encouraged to shed negative characteristics like aggression and emotional detachment to create more gender positive masculinities. Recent examples of research documenting inclusive masculinities, reveal this solution is inadequate, as such masculinities continue to contribute to unequal gender relations. These configurations of masculinity also involve an operation of power that is not captured by Connell’s conceptualization of hegemony. The article calls for new ways of thinking about how power operates beyond its articulation as hegemony, to identify where potential agency for significantly destabilizing the unequal gender order lies.