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Journal ArticleDOI

Hybrid Masculinities: New Directions in the Sociology of Men and Masculinities

01 Mar 2014-Sociology Compass (Wiley)-Vol. 8, Iss: 3, pp 246-258
TL;DR: The concept of hybrid masculinities was coined by Demetriou as mentioned in this paper to describe men's selective incorporation of performances and identity elements associated with marginalized and subordinated masculinity and femininities.
Abstract: Hybrid masculinity refers to men’s selective incorporation of performances and identity elementsassociated with marginalized and subordinated masculinities and femininities. We use recent theoriza-tion of hybrid masculinities to critically review theory and research that seeks to make sense of con-temporary transformations in masculinity. We suggest that research broadly supports three distinctconsequences associated with recent changes in performances and politics of masculinity that workto obscure the tenacity of gendered inequality. Hybrid masculinities (i) symbolically distance menfrom hegemonic masculinity; (ii) situate the masculinities available to young, White, heterosexualmen as somehow less meaningful than the masculinities associated with various marginalized andsubordinated Others; and (iii) fortify existing social and symbolic boundaries in ways that often workto conceal systems of power and inequality in historically new ways. IntroductionAgrowingbodyofsociologicaltheoryandresearchonmenandmasculinitiesaddressesrecenttransformations in men’s behaviors, appearances, opinions, and more. While historical re-searchhasshownmasculinitiestobeinacontinuousstateofchange(e.g.,Kimmel1996;Segal1990), the extent of contemporary transformations as well as their impact and meaning is thesource of a great deal of theory, research, and debate. While not a term universally adoptedamong masculinities scholars, the concept of “hybrid masculinities” is a useful way to makesense of this growing body of scholarship. It critically highlights this body of work that seeksto account for the emergence and consequences of recent transformations in masculinities.The term “hybrid” was coined in the natural sciences during the 19th century. Initiallyused to refer to species produced through the mixing of two separate species, by the 20thcentury, it was applied to people and social groups to address popular concern with miscege-nation. Today, scholars in the social sciences and humanities use “hybrid” to address culturalmiscegenation – processes and practices of cultural interpenetration (Burke 2009). “Hybridmasculinities” refer to the selective incorporation of elements of identity typically associatedwith various marginalized and subordinated masculinities and – at times – femininities intoprivileged men’s gender performances and identities (e.g., Arxer 2011; Demetriou 2001;Messerschmidt 2010; Messner 2007). Work on hybrid masculinities has primarily, thoughnot universally, focused on young, White, heterosexual-identified men. This research is cen-trally concerned with the ways that men are increasingly incorporating elements of various“Others” into their identity projects. While it is true that gendered meanings change histor-ically and geographically, research and theory addressing hybrid masculinities are beginningto ask whether recent transformations point in a new, more liberating direction.The transformations addressed by this literature include men’s assimilation of “bits andpieces”(Demetriou2001:350)ofidentityprojectscodedas“gay”(e.g.,Bridges,forthcoming;
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors identifies the key categories and features of the manosphere and subsequently seeks to theorize the masculinities that characterize this discursive space, revealing that, while there are some continuities with older variants of antifeminism, many of these new toxic assemblages appear to complicate the orthodox alignment of power and dominance with hegemonic masculinity by operationalizing tropes of victimhood, "beta masculinity, and involuntary celibacy.
Abstract: Since the emergence of Web 2.0 and social media, a particularly toxic brand of antifeminism has become evident across a range of online networks and platforms. Despite multiple internal conflicts and contradictions, these diverse assemblages are generally united in their adherence to Red Pill “philosophy,” which purports to liberate men from a life of feminist delusion. This loose confederacy of interest groups, broadly known as the manosphere, has become the dominant arena for the communication of men’s rights in Western culture. This article identifies the key categories and features of the manosphere and subsequently seeks to theorize the masculinities that characterize this discursive space. The analysis reveals that, while there are some continuities with older variants of antifeminism, many of these new toxic assemblages appear to complicate the orthodox alignment of power and dominance with hegemonic masculinity by operationalizing tropes of victimhood, “beta masculinity,” and involuntary celibacy ...

377 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Inclusive masculinity theory has been widely adopted within both sport and masculinities literature as discussed by the authors, and a large number of other scholars not using the theory have also documented and labelled new masculinity types.
Abstract: In 2010, this journal published an early exposition of inclusive masculinity theory. Since then, the theory has been widely adopted within both the sport and masculinities literature. Furthermore, a large number of other scholars not using the theory have also documented and labelled new masculinity types. There has also been refinement of Inclusive Masculinity Theory, alongside theoretical critiques. In this article, we provide an overview of the genesis of the theory and its refinement, before considering and responding to published and unpublished critiques of the theory. We then suggest future directions for research.

216 citations


Cites background from "Hybrid Masculinities: New Direction..."

  • ...Another critique relates to the prevalence of homophobic language, particularly around phrases like ‘that’s so gay’ (Bridges & Pascoe, 2014)....

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  • ...In response, Connell and Messerschmidt (2005) argued that a hegemonic form of masculinity survives through ‘incorporation of such [marginalized] masculinities into a functioning gender order rather than by active oppression in the form of discredit or violence’ (p....

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  • ...A related critique is that IMT does not contribute to understanding how patriarchy is reproduced (Bridges & Pascoe, 2014; o’neill, 2015)....

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  • ...However, we find it problematic because the change it recognizes is still deemed to be merely ‘stylistic’ (Bridges & Pascoe, 2014, p. 256) and that the recent changes in masculinities ‘not only reproduce contemporary systems of gendered, raced, and sexual inequalities but also obscure this process…...

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors argue that eating meat is equated with "masculine traits" of emotional stoicism, strength and virility, and that vegan men threaten the concept of a stoic and domineering view of hegemonic masculinity.
Abstract: If eating meat is equated with ‘masculine traits’ of emotional stoicism, strength and virility, do vegan men threaten the concept of a stoic and domineering view of hegemonic masculinity? This rese...

98 citations


Cites background from "Hybrid Masculinities: New Direction..."

  • ...As Bridges and Pascoe (2014) state, ‘hybrid masculinities work in ways that not only reproduce contemporary systems of gendered, race, and sexual inequalities but obscure this process as it is happening to correspond with masculine ideals’ (p. 247)....

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  • ...Hybrid masculinity symbolizes ‘the selective incorporation of elements of identity typically associated with various marginalized and subordinated masculinities and-at times-femininities into privileged men’s gender performances and identities’ (Bridges & Pascoe, 2014, p. 246)....

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  • ...Hybrid masculinity extends Connell’s (1987, 1995) theory of hegemonic masculinity to explain gender hierarchy and gender inequality (Anderson, 2009; Bridges, 2013; Bridges & Pascoe, 2014; Cottingham, 2014, 2015; Demetriou, 2001; Messner, 1993, 2007; Messerschmidt, 2000, 2012; Sumpter, 2015)....

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References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The concept of hegemonic masculinity has influenced gender studies across many academic fields but has also attracted serious criticism as mentioned in this paper, and the authors trace the origin of the concept in a convergence of ideas and map the ways it was applied when research on men and masculinities expanded.
Abstract: The concept of hegemonic masculinity has influenced gender studies across many academic fields but has also attracted serious criticism. The authors trace the origin of the concept in a convergence of ideas in the early 1980s and map the ways it was applied when research on men and masculinities expanded. Evaluating the principal criticisms, the authors defend the underlying concept of masculinity, which in most research use is neither reified nor essentialist. However, the criticism of trait models of gender and rigid typologies is sound. The treatment of the subject in research on hegemonic masculinity can be improved with the aid of recent psychological models, although limits to discursive flexibility must be recognized. The concept of hegemonic masculinity does not equate to a model of social reproduction; we need to recognize social struggles in which subordinated masculinities influence dominant forms. Finally, the authors review what has been confirmed from early formulations (the idea of multiple...

6,922 citations


"Hybrid Masculinities: New Direction..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Thus, they argue that hybrid masculine forms have not significantly affected the meanings of masculinity at regional or global levels.2 Significantly, while Connell and Messerschmidt (2005) are critical of the © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Sociology Compass 8/3 (2014): 246–258, 10.1111/soc4....

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  • ...Demetriou (2001); Connell and Messerschmidt (2005); Messner (2007); Arxer (2011); Messerschmidt (2010), and Bridges (forthcoming) all explicitly use the term....

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  • ...While not necessarily challenging the notion that hybrid masculinities exist, Connell and Messerschmidt (2005) – in their analysis of “hegemonic masculinity” – question the extent of hybrid masculine practices, their meaning, and influence....

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  • ...Anderson’s (2009) theory of “inclusive masculinity” argues that these new configurations of identity and practice are best understood as resistance to gender and sexual inequality, while Connell and Messerschmidt (2005) argue that these challenges to hegemonic masculinity have not been significant....

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  • ...(i) Some are skeptical of whether hybrid masculinities represent anything beyond local variation (e.g., Connell and Messerschmidt 2005)....

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Book
01 Aug 2001
TL;DR: The post-civil rights racial structure in the U.S. as mentioned in this paper has been described as a "New Racism": Color-Blind Racism and Blacks, and the post-Civil Rights Racial Structure in the United States is called New Racism, New Theory, and New Struggle.
Abstract: Introduction: Why Are Racial Minorities Behind Today? * What is Racism? The Racialized Social System. * Racial Attitudes or Racial Ideology? An Alternative Paradigm for Examining Actors' Racial Views. * The "New Racism": The Post-Civil Rights Racial Structure in the U.S * Color-Blind Racism and Blacks. * Conclusion: New Racism, New Theory, and New Struggle.

881 citations


"Hybrid Masculinities: New Direction..." refers background in this paper

  • ...…(2006) research on young White hip-hop music fans documents these men justifying their interest in and identification with hip-hop utilizing “color-blind” discourses (e.g., Bonilla-Silva 2001) that enable them to conceal race (and racial inequality) as a significant element of this cultural form....

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Book
01 Jan 1993
TL;DR: The 20th-anniversary edition of "The Blackening of America: Popular Culture and National Cultures" by Greil Marcus as mentioned in this paper was the first publication of the book.
Abstract: Preface to the 20th-Anniversary Edition by Greil Marcus Introduction Part I 1. Blackface and Blackness: The Minstrel Show in American Culture 2. Love and Theft: "Racial" Production and the Social Unconscious of Blackface 3. White Kids and No Kids At All: Working Class Culture and Languages of Race 4. The Blackening of America: Popular Culture and National Cultures Part II 5. "The Seeming Counterfeit": Early Blackface Acts, the Body, and Social Contradiction 6. "Genuine Negro Fun": Racial Pleasure and Class Formation in the 1840's 7. California Gold and European Revolution: Stephen Foster and the American 1848 8. Uncle Tomitudes: Racial Melodrama and Modes of Production Afterword to the 20th-Anniversary Edition by the Author Notes Bibliography Index

879 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a detailed theoretical exposition of the concept of hegemonic masculinity is presented and a case study of the contribution of gay masculinities to the formation of the contemporary hegaemonic bloc is presented.
Abstract: The originality of Connell's "social theory of gender" has established him as one of the leading theoreticians in the general area of gender relations and more particularly in the emerging field of the sociology of masculinity. His formulation of the concept of "hegemonic masculinity" represents the most influential and popular part of his work. It has been used in empirical research ranging from the areas of sexuality and gay studies to that of criminology and prison sociology. Yet, although numerous empirical researchers have made use of this concept, there has been almost no attempt to evaluate its theoretical merit.1 This article offers a detailed theoretical exposition as well as a critique of the concept of hegemonic masculinity. In the first part, I show that the notion of hegemonic masculinity was developed in an attempt to give an account of what the sex role framework left largely untheorized, that is, the questions of patriarchal power and social change. I then suggest an alternative way of conceptualizing hegemonic masculinity that draws on Gramsci's concept of historic bloc and Bhabha's notion of hybridity. I argue that hegemonic masculinity is not a purely white or heterosexual configuration of practice but it is a hybrid bloc that unites practices from diverse masculinities in order to ensure the reproduction of patriarchy. In the third and final part of this article, I undertake a brief case study in order to show the contribution of gay masculinities to the formation of the contemporary hegemonic bloc.

870 citations