Explaining Sexual Assault of Women through Hegemonic Masculinity

This essay explores the concept of hegemonic masculinity and its relation to sexual assault crimes against women. It discusses the different forms of sexual assault, the effects on victims, and the role of cultural values and gender roles in perpetuating such crimes. The essay also examines other plausible explanations for sexual assault and emphasizes the need for redefining gender perspectives and social roles to address this issue.

2 Using RW Connells 1995
concept of hegemonic
masculinity explain why men
may commit one of the
following offences a sexual
assault of women be violent

TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY ..................................................................................................................................1
Sexual assault of women .............................................................................................................1
Connell's concept of hegemonic masculinity ..............................................................................1
Literature perspective on relation between sexual assault and hegemonic masculinity..............2
Role of hegemonic masculinity in understanding sexual assault crimes against women ...........4
Other plausible explanations .......................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Sexual assault is defined as any kind of forceful sexual contact or activity which does not
involve the consent of other person. As compare to men, women are more vulnerable to this kind
of violence. Sexual assault is known as the act in which one individual intentionally sexually
coerces, touches or physically forces the other individual to engage in sexual conduct against
their will (Messerschmidt and Messner, 2018). Hegemonic masculinity legitimises the
dominance of men or male gender in society and thus it support the subordination of women and
practices which suppress them. The essay will discuss the Connell's perspective of hegemonic
masculinity and how it relates to the commitment of sexual assault crime against women.
MAIN BODY
Sexual assault of women
Sexual assault is sexual violence or forceful imposition of an individual over other
without their consent. Women have higher exposure to this type of crime which can take place in
domestic settings as well as at workplace. Sexual assault of women can have vast range of forms
such as rape, threats and unwanted sexual contact. Women are exposed to these risks in various
settings and can have physical, emotional and economic effects. Sexual assault results in long
term emotional trauma such as depression, fear, anxiety, genophobia, helplessness and social
anxiety (Fahlberg and Pepper, 2016). It also influences the social and professional development
and stability of the victim. Women also suffers from physical injuries as a result of the assault.
In most of the cases these physical injuries are not seen or considered into account. These
can range from insomnia, chronic pain, bruises and several injuries to private organs. This kind
of assaults also result in economic challenges as many women have to loss their jobs or
employment because of sexual assault at work place (Jewkes, Flood and Lang, 2015). The sever
injuries also result in fear and emotional breakdown making it impossible for women to continue
their jobs. Even after assault women requires high costs in tangible damages such as in health
care services, police or legal services as well as property damage. The weaker position of women
in society also make it hard for them to live with dignity and safety in society.
Connell's concept of hegemonic masculinity
Hegemonic masculinity concept given by Connell is an important part framework in
explaining the social change and patriarchal power within different sex roles. As per this concept
multiple masculinities is variable with time and across different cultures and from one person to
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other. It describes the establishment of men dominance in social roles as well as in behavioural
aspects. The theory provides a description that how characteristics of men are promoted to their
own code of conduct and lead to foundation of masculine behavioural script (Stern, Buikema and
Cooper, 2016). These characteristics include aggression, violence, physical strength, success,
adventure, thrill seeking, risk taking and emotional restraint.
Thus hegemonic masculinity provides a set of ideal characteristics which are restricted to
only men. The concept also evaluates that the patriarchal dividend always benefit the men which
is usually obtained from the subordination of women. Women are made to learn or to follow
pure subordination from their childhood. Instead of simple domination over women, they are
forced or taught to compromise extensively since fatherhood, community life and marriage.
However hegemony is not established by violence and forceful means but is strongly established
through persuasions, culture and institutions.
When hegemonic masculinities is challenged in the society then it causes emergence of
dominant masculinities on the basis of bodily power like sexuality and violence instead of social
powers and economy (Messerschmidt and Messner, 2018). The development of sexual assault
and violence against women is not considered as the major focus of hegemonic masculinity
concept. On one hand some argues that sexist and violent masculine values may be but not
necessarily hegemonic in particular culture. However men who uses such kind of violence or
assaults against women, it does not diminishes public stature.
Literature perspective on relation between sexual assault and hegemonic masculinity
According to Gruber and Fineran, (2016) sexual assault is one of the major problem for
the health and safety of women in almost all the parts of world. Such kind of violence brings
long term sequelae both socially and psychiatrically. As explained in the hegemonic masculinity
theory masculinity is strongly related with the dominance of men. Thus this type of unethical and
unacceptable behaviour against women is the result of unequal power equations between both of
these genders. Though sexual gratification is also one of the fundamental reason for such type of
abuse but the feeling of superiority and dominance also drives and encourages this abuse. The
cultural values and factors are framed in a way that they present women as object which are
owned by the men.
In the same context Forde and Duvvury, (2017) stated that there are various regions in the
world which have ego centric and socio-centric culture in which gender roles and representations
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and perceptions towards sexual violence differs to great extent. In such societies men are
provided undisclosed authority over women.
Thus apart from taking decisions for women, men also used to control the behaviour of
women (Stern, Buikema and Cooper, 2016). It is strongly agreed by men that since they have
right and authority over women they can impose themselves sexually over the other gender
without seeking for their consent. Most of the cultures portrait men as dominating and able to
take decisions for the women as well. Thus from childhood women learned to follow the
teachings of their fathers, brothers, husbands and other male members of their family. Hence
even when they experience any assault act their voice is suppress by their own family members
and it gives encouragement to such activities.
According to Namy and et.al., (2017) it is common stereotype that women are weak and
thus they need the protection from men. Such stereotypes are often misused and results in
increasing prevalences of sexual assaults. Men does not have fear or realisation that they are
committing crime by sexually abusing women. Sexual assault of women is considered as
common practice by them and thus they take it very casual to follow such practice.
As per the view of Fahlberg and Pepper, (2016) the characteristics of men described by
hegemonic masculinities in the society is also one of the reason which results in commitment of
such crimes. From the childhood it is informed to male child that they are strong and thus the
resistance to emotions is their fundamental and essential trait of masculinity. With age the
opinion gets so much stronger that even if men wants to show emotions or pain they face high
criticism. In the situation of such criticism there is constant need of determining way through
which men can manage their frustration. Such kind of frustration often results in the form of
sexual assault. It is one of the reason that most of the men used to consider sexual assault as tool
to satisfy their ego or to show their power.
Contrary to the above discussion Jewkes and et.al., (2015) stated that from the long term
masculinity is related with aggression and controllability. However when such controlling nature
and decision making abilities are challenged by women it has significant impact on attitude of
men. In such situations men used to show sexual violence so that it creates a fear in women and
their freedom can be restricted. Many societies often uses sexual assault as effective way to
control or restrict the occupational opportunity or psychological well being of women.
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Role of hegemonic masculinity in understanding sexual assault crimes against women
It is very important to understand the gender roles and perspective from the concept of
hegemonic masculinity. It gives an accurate insight that how male members of society perceive
women and the crime activities against them. According to Jewkes and Morrell, (2018)
hegemonic masculinity proves to be valuable in exploring such concepts and their actual reason
so that women can be provided a safer place in the society. Most of the sexual assault crimes
against women originates because male used to establish their dominance over women. The
extent and consequences of this concept is easily understood by different individuals and how
they can manage the sexual orientation and gender role.
Hegemonic masculinity also delivers important knowledge and concept of philosophies
and behavioural aspect which lead to the commitment of such crimes against women. The
behavioural aspect and the cultural values are the prime factors which influences the perspective
and actions of an individual. Thus it is essential to understand the power distribution in the social
roles and how the opposition of those roles can result in aggression and sexual assault
particularly for women. The major crimes such as sexual assault are very common in the
societies and most of the women undergo such abusive actions against them (Smith and et.al.,
2015). By understanding the power distribution and the cultural beliefs towards gender it can be
helpful for authorities to bring specific social and cultural amendments related to sexual
orientation of women.
Other plausible explanations
Contrary to the hegemonic masculinities there are cultures which provide equal
treatment, respect and power distribution to men and women. Such cultures tends to have lower
incidences of sexual violences. However in such societies it cannot be denied that there are no
such crimes but the key driving force for such assaults against women is not based upon
hegemonic masculinity (Murnen, 2015). There are several other implications or the reasons for
such types of offences. The most common argument is that despite having feminism culture
women are down played among professionals.
It is common stereotypes among women that women are sexually harmless. Thus
commitment of sexual assault will not result in any harm neither to the victim women nor to
crime committing men. The lack of education and understanding is also one of the reason which
encourages the sexual assault of women. In every culture there are people who used to consider
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women as object who are meant to satisfy their sexual needs only. Thus despite living in feminist
societies men used to believe that women can have equal rights but sexual dominance remains in
the hands of men and for that they does not require any consent from others.
In the same context Jewkes, Flood and Lang, (2015) stated that several factors such as
substance abuse, alcohol addictions or weak legislative framework are also responsible for the
increasing incidences of sexual assault for women. The psychoactive drugs or substance abuse
often makes males loose their control. Either in the state of unconsciousness or in the state of
awareness they think that they have right to sexually use women without their consent as well.
The legislative framework can also be considered as major factor in increasing sexual
assault events. Though with globalisation, education and social development laws are improving
and becoming supportive for women but still there is need for more improvements. There are
several parts of the world particularly rural and underdeveloped countries in which still there is
lack of effective legislation framework (Connell, 2017). These frameworks consider sexual
assault of women as justified because men are authorised to rule the society and women. Thus
lack of legislative infrastructure in certain societies is also responsible for encouraging sexual
misconduct against women.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the essay that severity and extent of sexual violence against
women is effectively explained by the hegemonic masculinity. Thus in order to bring
improvement in society there is need to redefine the gender perspective and roles. It has been
also analysed from the above discussion that though hegemonic masculinity is one of the major
factor in encouraging such offences against women but apart from this also there are several
factors responsible for such crimes. Hence it can be concluded that for controlling such crimes
along with strict legislative support gender perspectives and social roles must also be elaborated
and improved through entire life span development.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Connell, R.W., 2017. On hegemonic masculinity and violence: Response to Jefferson and Hall.
In Crime, Criminal Justice and Masculinities (pp. 57-68). Routledge.
Fahlberg, A. and Pepper, M., 2016. Masculinity and sexual violence: Assessing the state of the
field. Sociology Compass. 10(8). pp.673-683.
Forde, C. and Duvvury, N., 2017. Sexual violence, masculinity, and the journey of
recovery. Psychology of Men & Masculinity. 18(4). p.301.
Gruber, J. and Fineran, S., 2016. Sexual harassment, bullying, and school outcomes for high
school girls and boys. Violence against women. 22(1). pp.112-133.
Jewkes, R. and et.al., 2015. Hegemonic masculinity: combining theory and practice in gender
interventions. Culture, health & sexuality, 17(sup2), pp.112-127.
Jewkes, R. and Morrell, R., 2018. Hegemonic masculinity, violence, and gender equality: Using
latent class analysis to investigate the origins and correlates of differences between
men. Men and masculinities. 21(4). pp.547-571.
Jewkes, R., Flood, M. and Lang, J., 2015. From work with men and boys to changes of social
norms and reduction of inequities in gender relations: a conceptual shift in prevention of
violence against women and girls. The Lancet. 385(9977). pp.1580-1589.
Messerschmidt, J.W. and Messner, M.A., 2018. Hegemonic, nonhegemonic, and “new”
masculinities. Gender reckonings: New social theory and research, pp.35-56.
Murnen, S.K., 2015. A social constructivist approach to understanding the relationship between
masculinity and sexual aggression.
Namy, S. and et.al., 2017. Towards a feminist understanding of intersecting violence against
women and children in the family. Social Science & Medicine. 184. pp.40-48.
Smith, R.M. and et.al., 2015. Deconstructing hegemonic masculinity: The roles of
antifemininity, subordination to women, and sexual dominance in men’s perpetration of
sexual aggression. Psychology of Men & Masculinity. 16(2). p.160.
Stern, E., Buikema, R. and Cooper, D., 2016. South African women's conceptualisations of and
responses to sexual coercion in relation to hegemonic masculinities. Global public
health. 11(1-2). pp.135-152.
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