NCJ Number
194878
Journal
Theoretical Criminology: An International Journal Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2002 Pages: 35-61
Date Published
2002
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This theoretical paper critiques the criminological theory of hegemonic masculinity as an explanation for male violence.
Abstract
The author of this theoretical discussion takes issue with the theory of hegemonic masculinity, which has been proposed as an explanation for male violence mainly by sociologist Bob Connell (1987, 1995). Hegemonic masculinity claims that men are violent in an effort to claim their traditional, and therefore rightful, place of supremacy over women in society. The theory suggests that even if all men are not violent, all men benefit from male violence because it perpetuates male dominance in our modern culture where women are increasingly taking on traditional male roles in the workplace and in the home. The author of this paper discounts the theory of hegemonic masculinity as lacking any real empirical support. On the contrary, the author points out that much empirical evidence exists that supports the notion that male violence is rooted in class position, not in the desire to subordinate women. Data from police and health services link male violence to working class men, suggesting that a lack of material resources drives men to become violent. The author claims that Connell’s notion that men use violence to sustain their dominance within society is overly simplistic because it directly ties violence to social dominance while ignoring the many intricacies associated with violent tendencies. References