Collective Masculinity: Understanding the Behavior of Men in Groups
Added on 2023-06-11
4 Pages722 Words279 Views
Running head: COLLECTIVE MASCULINITY
COLLECTIVE MASCULINITY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note
COLLECTIVE MASCULINITY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note
1
COLLECTIVE MASCULINITY
Robert W Connell in his seminal work “Understanding Men: Gender Sociology and the
New International research on Masculinities”, summarized the findings of his research on six
theses (Connell, 2001). These included multiple masculinities, hierarchy and hegemony,
collective masculinities, active construction, internal complexity and dynamics. The present
paper will focus on the thesis collective masculinities and try to explain elaborately through
examples from the media and real life.
Masculinities or femininities are mostly interpreted through an individual’s conduct or
behavior within the society. To put it in simpler words, masculinity is not gender specific but it is
based on behavior of individuals. Apart from male, females also have traits of masculinity.
However, masculinity interestingly could be defined collectively as well. Collective masculinity
refers to the behavior of a group of individuals within an institution like schools, colleges or
workplaces. The preconceived notions of masculinity are affirmed concretely by the violent
video games that most youngsters are engaged in these days. In other sport as well, violence is
attributed to men. Within the mainstream media, almost daily one could find news on the
competition and hard core training of the male sportspersons. This compels the male to maintain
their so-called masculinity defined collectively and in doing so, they are often dragged towards
depression and other mental issues.
The influence of violent video games on young males is a good example of this type of
masculinity. Recently, an infamous virtual game made headlines across the globe as it had
claimed more than hundred lives (Bbc.com, 2018). The game called the Blue Whale Challenge is
an exemplary instance of collective masculinity because it involves the completion of certain
challenges that are risky and ultimately end in suicide. In order to claim their masculinity, young,
school going children are attracted to this challenge game and commit suicide. In the majority of
COLLECTIVE MASCULINITY
Robert W Connell in his seminal work “Understanding Men: Gender Sociology and the
New International research on Masculinities”, summarized the findings of his research on six
theses (Connell, 2001). These included multiple masculinities, hierarchy and hegemony,
collective masculinities, active construction, internal complexity and dynamics. The present
paper will focus on the thesis collective masculinities and try to explain elaborately through
examples from the media and real life.
Masculinities or femininities are mostly interpreted through an individual’s conduct or
behavior within the society. To put it in simpler words, masculinity is not gender specific but it is
based on behavior of individuals. Apart from male, females also have traits of masculinity.
However, masculinity interestingly could be defined collectively as well. Collective masculinity
refers to the behavior of a group of individuals within an institution like schools, colleges or
workplaces. The preconceived notions of masculinity are affirmed concretely by the violent
video games that most youngsters are engaged in these days. In other sport as well, violence is
attributed to men. Within the mainstream media, almost daily one could find news on the
competition and hard core training of the male sportspersons. This compels the male to maintain
their so-called masculinity defined collectively and in doing so, they are often dragged towards
depression and other mental issues.
The influence of violent video games on young males is a good example of this type of
masculinity. Recently, an infamous virtual game made headlines across the globe as it had
claimed more than hundred lives (Bbc.com, 2018). The game called the Blue Whale Challenge is
an exemplary instance of collective masculinity because it involves the completion of certain
challenges that are risky and ultimately end in suicide. In order to claim their masculinity, young,
school going children are attracted to this challenge game and commit suicide. In the majority of
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