Masculinity is often praised as strength, control, and logic — but what if these traits weren’t just personal virtues? What if they were tools designed to keep femininity — and women — subordinate? Far from being neutral qualities, the contrast between masculinity and femininity forms the backbone of patriarchy, creating a cycle where power and subordination are constantly reinforced.
The Power of Masculinity in Society
This dynamic perpetuates gender inequality everywhere, from our workplaces to our relationships. By diving deeper into society positions masculinity above femininity, we can start to see where these power imbalances come from and, hopefully, work toward a fairer society.
To understand how these power imbalances work, we have to look beyond surface-level traits. Masculinity is constructed in direct opposition to femininity, which is typically associated with weakness, emotion (that often gets shamed or mocked), and submission. But here’s the thing: this isn’t just about differences between men and women. It’s about creating a clear hierarchy that places masculinity — and therefore men — above femininity and women.
R.W. Connell in her book “Masculinities” explored this matter and emphasized that masculinity is socially constructed through practices and relations, not biologically predetermined. She argued that by framing femininity as inferior, this system justifies the subordination of women in various spheres of life. And it affects not only women but also men who don’t fit into the traditional masculine mold. Whether it’s through obvious displays of power or more subtle societal norms, masculinity keeps its dominant position. Hegemonic masculinity plays a crucial role in maintaining this dominance.
Hegemonic Masculinity
R.W. Connell developed one of the most influential concepts in understanding masculinity — hegemonic masculinity. Hegemonic masculinity refers to the dominant form of masculinity that is idealized in a given society at a given time. It is characterized by a set of traits and behaviors that are culturally exalted and seen as the standard for manhood. These traits often include physical strength, assertiveness, authority, predisposition toward dominance, and leadership.
It is not just individual men embodying these traits, but a system. Connell argues that hegemonic masculinity legitimizes the dominant position of men in society and justifies the unequal distribution of power between men and women. It shapes institutions, social norms, and cultural values.
Hegemonic masculinity represents a cultural ideal that men are pressured to achieve, although few may fully embody it. This pressure leads to a constant, often unconscious pursuit of certain traits, instilling a deep sense of shame over any deviation from this ideal. Men who fail to meet these standards are frequently labeled as feminine, with all the negative connotations this label carries. Because femininity is not simply different but inferior — something to avoid at all costs.
As a result, the masculine/feminine dichotomy becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, where both boys and girls are socialized to fit into these roles.
To effectively challenge this system, it is not enough to critique hegemonic masculinity alone. We must address the fundamental devaluation of femininity that lies at the heart of these power dynamics.
The Burden of Femininity
Hegemonic masculinity is upheld and reinforced through subordinate masculinities — forms of masculinity that deviate from the hegemonic ideal. These masculinities might include men who are gay, less physically strong, more emotionally expressive, or who engage in behaviors considered effeminate. It is crucial to see through these dynamics and recognize what lies at the root — and that is the oppression of femininity in all its forms. It is not by chance that everything those men are punished and oppressed for is typically considered feminine or effeminate, including homosexuality (in my future post, I’ll explore how these same dynamics feed into homophobia).
Subordinate masculinities are not just masculinities that don’t conform to the hegemonic ideal. They are a direct consequence of the devaluation of femininity and women. Men who exhibit behaviors seen as “feminine” face stigma precisely because they embody qualities deemed inferior.
In environments that prioritize hypermasculine ideals, such as the military or competitive sports, phrases like “don’t be a sissy”, “pansy,” “princess”, or the good old “pussy”, warn men that any deviation toward femininity will result in ridicule and loss of status. The use of homophobic slurs to shame men serves the same purpose: femininity, in any form, is something to scorn because a man not masculine enough is a man who stooped and degraded to the level of a woman.
If we frame masculinity as a structure rather than just a collection of traits, we can see how deeply it is intertwined with power dynamics. Elevating one group and assigning them the dominant qualities inevitably includes degrading the other group.
In Part 2, we will explore the effects of this framework on women and, finally, discuss the actions we can take to stop it.