Lectures masculines de la théorie féministe : la psychologisation des rapports de genre dans la littérature sur la masculinit

Abstract

Critiques of masculinity made by men most often rely upon feminist theories that develop, whether implicitly or explicitly, psychological explanations of masculin subjectivity, for example in terms of a « relational incapacity » or a « desire to dominate ». The fact that men are raised by women is central in such approaches. By giving priority to a therapeutic understanding of masculin practices it is suggested that the domination of men over women is a consequence of their own damaged masculinity. In this way, the question of intentionality is obscured, as is the political domination and exploitation of women by men. Using feminist materialism would offer a more effective and politically robust approach to the problem, by revealing the empirical and theoretical weaknesses of the analyses of masculin subjectivity. It would also show in what ways the concept of masculinity can work as an idealist reification of masculin practices of appropriation of the domestic work of women. Critiques of masculinity made by men most often rely upon feminist theories that develop, whether implicitly or explicitly, psychological explanations of masculin subjectivity, for example in terms of a « relational incapacity » or a « desire to dominate ». The fact that men are raised by women is central in such approaches. By giving priority to a therapeutic understanding of masculin practices it is suggested that the domination of men over women is a consequence of their own damaged masculinity. In this way, the question of intentionality is obscured, as is the political domination and exploitation of women by men. Using feminist materialism would offer a more effective and politically robust approach to the problem, by revealing the empirical and theoretical weaknesses of the analyses of masculin subjectivity. It would also show in what ways the concept of masculinity can work as an idealist reification of masculin practices of appropriation of the domestic work of women. © L'Harmattan.