NCJ Number
162719
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 29 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1996) Pages: 69-73
Date Published
1996
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Feminists have challenged criminology with the demand to consider gender relations as necessarily implying a focus on both masculinity and femininity, particularly since researchers have generally failed to address masculinity in juvenile justice studies.
Abstract
The idealized male sex role is usually portrayed as tough, competitive, emotionally inexpressive, public, active, and autonomous. The specific content of these characteristics varies, however, depending on the culture, class, and ethnic background of young men. One approach to understanding masculinity is the notion of a hegemonic masculinity which is constructed in relation to various subordinated masculinities and in relation to women. The idealized male sex role as defined in and by hegemonic masculinity is essentially built on contempt for women, gays, and lesbians and emphasizes the importance of success in terms of wealth, power, and status rather than in terms of meaningful and open relationships. Research studies and theories of masculinity are cited in an effort to explain the relationship between masculinity and juvenile justice and the different position of young men and young women in the juvenile justice system. 17 references