Societal norms such as hegemonic masculinity and emphasized femininity have long shaped the belief that men and women are fundamentally different, often portrayed as opposites in behavior and roles. Yet, these constructs often obscure the complexities of gender. To explore this further, let’s delve into the concepts of masculinity and femininity.
MASCULINITY
Masculinity is a culturally idealized gender notion that refers to the behavior, appearance, roles, and other traits associated with men. Masculine norms emphasize values such as courage, mastery, aggression, mechanical skills, and toughness, both physically and mentally.
FEMININITY
Like masculinity, femininity is also a culturally idealized gender notion that refers to the behavior, appearance, roles, and other traits associated with women. Femininity emphasizes traits like gentleness, empathy, poise, and sensitivity, among others.
HEGEMONIC MASCULINITY
Hegemonic masculinity perpetuates the dominant social position of men and the subordinate social position of women. It establishes the idea that any individual who doesn’t align with traditional masculine notions is inferior. It encourages men to be exclusive and hierarchically differentiated. Though it centers on male dominance, not all men share the concept of hegemonic masculinity. However, as a social construct, it affects most men whether they share this idea or not. Men exposed to hegemonic masculinity tend to demand all the power in a relationship and adopt a “my way or the highway” attitude.
EMPHASIZED FEMININITY
Emphasized femininity is the idea that women must conform to the needs and desires of men. It suggests that a woman’s ultimate purpose is to provide a man with sexual validation, bear his children, and serve his household. Girls raised with the ideals of emphasized femininity grow up to become submissive women who do not seek power in a relationship. They may even find it unattractive for a man to treat them as equals or seek their opinion in decision-making since they have been conditioned to believe that it’s a man’s role to lead and a woman’s to follow.
PROPAGATION OF HEGEMONIC MASCULINITY AND EMPHASIZED FEMININITY
Hegemonic masculinity and emphasized femininity are deeply ingrained in society through the portrayal of heroes and heroines in books, advertisements, films, and television. From a young age, girls are indoctrinated into emphasized femininity by fairy tales that promote the idea that their ultimate purpose is to find Prince Charming and achieve a happily-ever-after. Meanwhile, boys are encouraged to play with toy guns and superhero miniatures, while girls are steered towards dollhouses, reinforcing traditional gender roles. The societal pressure on women to be constantly groomed and desirable—unlike in most animals, where males enhance their appearance to attract females—further reinforces these norms. The perpetuation of hegemonic masculinity and emphasized femininity has contributed to the systemic oppression of all genders for centuries, limiting individuals’ potential and freedom to express their true selves.
HOW HEGEMONIC MASCULINITY AFFECTS MEN
Hegemonic masculinity affects not only cis-women and transgender individuals but also cis-men who don’t conform to its rigid standards. It marginalizes men who treat women as equals, viewing this behavior as a threat to the traditional male-dominant social order. This toxic masculinity often manifests in homophobia, rooted in the fear that homosexuality undermines the notion that women exist to validate men sexually. Homophobic attitudes are also fueled by the anxiety that gay men might objectify other men in the same way hegemonic masculinity objectifies women. By perpetuating homophobia, hegemonic masculinity reinforces its own ideals, reducing men’s anxiety about their masculinity and solidifying their heterosexual identity.
REJECTION OF MASCULINITY AND FEMININITY
Rejecting gender roles begins with recognizing that traits like courage, aggression, toughness, sensitivity, gentleness, and empathy are not inherently tied to one’s gender; they are qualities that any human being can embody. To move beyond rigid gender expectations, it’s essential to encourage people to embrace their authentic selves, free from the constraints of societal norms. This means allowing boys to express vulnerability and nurturing tendencies without shame, and empowering girls to be assertive and strong without being labeled as unfeminine. By fostering environments where individuals are valued for their unique characteristics rather than their adherence to traditional gender roles, we can create a society where everyone is free to express the full spectrum of human emotions and behaviors.
CHALLENGING HEGEMONIC MASCULINITY AND EMPHASIZED FEMININITY
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: Since the 20th century, the struggle for gender equality has boldly confronted the entrenched norms of hegemonic masculinity and emphasized femininity. The progress toward women’s empowerment and the advancement of their social status have been crucial in breaking down these restrictive gender constructs, paving the way for a more inclusive understanding of identity and equality.
METROSEXUAL MAN: The metrosexual man challenges traditional masculine norms by embracing what society typically associates with femininity—whether it’s fashion choices like skinny jeans, grooming practices like waxing, or actively participating in household duties and parenting. He is comfortable with his wife earning just as much as he does, viewing it as a partnership rather than a threat. This rejection of rigid gender roles by metrosexual men has been pivotal in dismantling the constraints of hegemonic masculinity.
LGBTQ RIGHTS: LGBTQ activism has dismantled the notion of gender binary and has directly challenged the rigid sexual roles upheld by hegemonic masculinity. Many men within the homosexual community have confronted these traditional norms by embracing their own “effeminacy,” demonstrating that masculinity does not have to fit a conventional mold. Similarly, many lesbian women assert their independence by defying the restrictive expectations of emphasized femininity.
GENDER NEUTRAL FASHION: Gender-neutral fashion actively rejects traditional gender norms and roles by creating clothing that is not confined to the binary distinctions of “male” and “female.” This approach to fashion emphasizes versatility, allowing individuals to express their identity without being restricted by societal expectations of what is deemed appropriate for their gender. By blurring the lines between masculine and feminine styles, gender-neutral fashion challenges the conventional rules of dressing and empowers people to wear what feels authentic to them, fostering greater inclusivity and self-expression.