This article discusses how masculinity vs feminism works. (This article has not been proof read). This work was done due to a curiosity generated through communication studies in my sophomore year of college.

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Running Head: MALE PRIVILEGE
Critical Cultural Analysis: Masculinity and Social Views
Critical Approach: Masculine Analysis
CMST 100
Minnesota State University, Mankato

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Critical Cultural Analysis
Masculinity and Social Views
According to The American Heritage characteristics possessing qualities traditionally
attributed to men defines masculinity. Masculine privileges have driven males to stand out in
many occasions. However, many men think that dominance, strength and power defines
masculinity but masculinity is something more than that. The manly or macho concept cannot be
pointed out individually to each and every male. Huffpost mentions that masculinity is a
privilege granted upon men only to be classified as men. Masculinity comes with limitations as
in the case of women. The purpose of this essay is to persuade everyone in to thinking that
masculinity is a privilege that only defines males, not a privilege to classify the gender as a
powerful or much benefited one.
To discuss masculinity of an individual, the individual should be analyzed since
childhood. Does the sex of the teacher affect masculinity? According to Geert Driessen the
presence of a female role model is assumed to exert a deleterious effect upon the school career of
boys. Thus this effect displays a views a detainment in girls. However The Dutch cohort study,
PRIMA affirmed that sex of the teacher did not effect on the achievement, perspective or
conduct of a young student. It also confirms that this approves for both masculine and feminists
despite of race or economical standards.
Attitude on school careers of boys.
Many people also argue regarding the attitude of boys and girls. In essence to support the
idea of perspectives (Frank, Kehler, Lovell & Davison, 2003) studies behavior of students from
different perspectives considering social, political and economic. He found out that different

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students displayed different behavioral patterns. While comparing The USA other countries
displayed characteristics such as defense, reservation and negativity. The labelling also changes
when transitioned to a different sex. The group of researchers also found out that the age gap had
also affected the behavioral pattern and achievement pattern.
Gender difference.
The attitude on school career also drifts towards the gender difference. Can boys achieve
more than girls?. Smith (2003) mentions that “moral panic” rise when male students are
demotivated. However, female students have shown signs of greater of achievement. Hence, this
is one reason why masculinity should be limited to gender. The results clearly prove that no
gender is superior nor inferior. In sex differences with regard to achievement, female students
have moderately achieved better than boys. Problem solving skills and study skills have been
processed correctly by most female students. Reports mention that these changes have
increasingly taken place during the past 10 years.
When comparing male students and female, participation in education has been fairly
satisfied by female students. According to Driessen & Dekkers, 2008 as many boys as girls
participate in pre-schooling provisions but many boys participate in special education when
compared to girls. Coincidentally more girls participate in upper levels of secondary schools and
higher education. The growth still takes place and the reason is participation skills of feminists
when compared with masculine. Reports also show that more boys have repeated courses than
girls but this character is absent in Holland. More men than women in age groups 18-24 leave
school prematurely, this has been mentioned in the international EU. Sex differences in
participation according to genders display a different picture. Females tend to participate in

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courses which define social characteristics but males tend to participate in courses defining
economy and business. This feature has been applied to all countries.
However, girls tend to show one weak spot in general. Most girls lag when introduced to
mathematics and science. Girls take time to overcome the weak spot.
Theories revolving around genders
Many considerable commentaries have been brought forward from a feminist point of
view. Carrington and Skelton (2003) mentions that different behaviors and mind sets should be
understood properly when analyzing to explain a theory. The best frame work that is used to
explain masculinity is motivation. Young students typically boys identify themselves through
teachers point of view. These tend to create role models for many students. However, female
teachers do not always support students to follow role models for boys. They tend to match
stereotypes for boys to support and strengthen the stereotypes. However most teacher’s emphasis
on the point of masculinity by mentioning that respected should be earned not granted.
Skelton (2003) says that male teachers use a strategy to provide a positive career oriented
mind for young students. Skelton says that these visions are based on simple and naïve beliefs.
He believes that this a socialization theory. He also believes that these beliefs are roots for sex
roles that an individual would play in his/her life time. Masculinity is also based on how an
individual reacts with fellow peers. These roles could also change if the peers are acknowledged
more or recognized more by others of the same sex. Smith (2003) says that obedience, discipline
and positivity is determined by boys when questioned for masculinity. Questions such as how
masculine are you? drives individuals to display more assertive behavior and also a stereotypical
display of macho.

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Competency level of boys and girls
Many believe that genders show differences in competency levels when raised in
different environments. The following are characteristics that were displayed. The gender that
the child identifies as, ethnicity of the child, parents level of education, language abilities. The
most important factor is non-cognitive competencies. Information for this comes from teachers
and students themselves. Teachers characterize students by the level of self-confidence and
psychological components. Students evaluate themselves with different competencies. Social
behavior, work attitude, relation with adults and by their comfort level.
Ailwood, J. (2003). A national approach to gender equity policy in Australia: Another ending,
another opening? International Journal of Inclusive Education, 7, (1), 19-31
Asher, S, & Gottman, J. (1973). Sex of teacher and student reading achievement. Journal of
Educational Psychology, 65, 168-171
Masculinity
Manhood is a critique for feminist theories. Males are not unique nor different.
Masculinity however changes with culture, ethnicity and with physical traits. Men should not be
identified as benefactors or as a member of a privileged gender. As women men also struggle
with social and psychological problems. The society is a zero sum game. The structure of
masculinity requires a clear understanding of encountering culture and also structural
discrimination. The male identity should be constructed and sustained. Masculinity is a social

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construction. Theoretically, masculinity has been constructed on several core concepts. Like
mentioned earlier masculinity is a social construction rather than a biological construction.
Masculinity is multiple. There are dominant masculine personalities and depending personalities.
The theory of masculinity describes ones masculinity as a form which is not biologically given,
not a thing that one possess, but one that is socially constructed. It is also a set of practices that
coordinates in the engagement of practices and performances. Therefore, masculinity is
interactive. However, one could also make changes to one’s own masculinity.
According to Nancy Dowd, 2010, women could also be masculine. Women express
masculinity in different ways. The masculinity of women are proximal to feminism though.
However the dynamics are unique. Women only identify themselves as masculine but they fail to
reach the sense of exposure. The purpose of feminism is to identify cultures related to women.
However, masculinity is altered when attraction is toward the same sex. Attraction towards
another masculine personality doesn’t make him/her gay. It’s rather an alteration towards
dominance. However with in units such as race and class, multiple masculinities such as black
male masculinity and gay male masculinity exist. According to Nancy Dowd, being masculine is
not being feminine and not homosexual but heterosexual. Men often experience power, ironically
empowered as a group. When it comes to homosexuals, they constantly evaluate themselves and
test themselves. Masculinity is about competition and hierarchy. Masculines tend to achieve a
particular goal on a daily basis. Masculine relationships are always brought home thinking about
the relationship. The constant testing for competition is a dominant male character.
Modern masculinities rely on psychology, however sociologists lead modern
developments. The author of Masculinities theory and practice and R.W. Connell suggests that
masculinity develops a broad perspective on gender and on unique insights. Connell also says

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that despite the differences between women and men, both genders are psychologically very
similar as groups.
Michael Kimmel argues against issues of inequality of power. He points out the
differences between feminists and masculine’s. He focuses on the idea that we conceptualize and
describe sex differently. During an embryonic phase, fetal cells are prematurely classified
according to physical features. The medical field however identifies only two genders, either
male or female. However during the first phase of an embryonic growth the fetal cell is formed
originally as a female body. Secondary sexual characteristics are the hormonal stages that
classifies and dignifies masculinity. Kimmel also says that men do not see gender roles properly.
Therefore Kimmel terms it as invisibility of gender to men. Men who focuses mostly on
masculinity does not recognize the proper power but rather complains saying there is a lack of
power. However, men as a group are stronger compared to women. The feeling of power is
however not felt by the males. They tend to build a hierarchy for power and strength.
Social constructionists visualizes gender as a power relation. Power is distributed to
gender only to feel powerful but not to be in power. The power gained by a group cannot be
willed away nor ignored by the group. However the strive for power is only seen in a feminists
point of view. In racial minorities black men are however primarily minimized. This is due to the
literature that took place in the past few centuries and also because little literature affected Latino
and Asian men. Minor races are however unequally entitled towards masculinity. The African
American men has been titled as “Cool pose” by Richard Majors. African American men were
often subjected to frustration and embitterment and also alienation. In general they were socially
impotent, they were judged by their clothing, lifestyle, stance and also their methods of

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handshaking. They were dehumanized despite their masculinity. The African American men
were humiliated in front of a majority race that possessed more privilege.
Devon Carbado explored male feminism while arguing mentioning that men should
come in to terms with male privileges despite of how males identify themselves as. He also
mentions that masculinity should be male-centered but it should be disconnected from power.
Another theory that defines masculinity is the Queer theory. Masculinities with in gay and
lesbian communities are external and internal masculinities where men define themselves in
relation to other males even in homosexual spaces. The queer theory explains that being like a
woman is not a negative definition of masculinity. The avoidance is linked strongly to not being
gay. Masculine homophobia is linked to ones need to avoid being feminine.
The queer theory radically pushes the assumption of being a homosexual. The queer
theory identifies four characteristics; Central sexuality, performative identity, political struggle
toward gender, and pop culture. These insights provide day to day operations towards gender.
The queer theory is a theory that attacks notions of sex and gender. The theory also challenges
sexual orientation. Social constructionist says that “Queer theory solicit to demonstrate that all
sexual conduct is socially designed and that sexuality is not determined by biology” (Brooks and
Parkes, 2004).
Conclusion
Theories have been built by many social constructionist but masculinity is what defines a
man by characteristics. However biologically unprivileged men should not be tested for their
masculinity as not all are born privileged with a fully masculine body. Masculinity should not be

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allocated just for power or strength but it should be allocated for who would treat the gender
regardless of power and strength.

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Bibliography
Ailwood, J. (2003). A national approach to gender equity policy in Australia: Another ending,
another opening? International Journal of Inclusive Education, 7, (1), 19-31
Asher, S, & Gottman, J. (1973). Sex of teacher and student reading achievement. Journal of
Educational Psychology, 65, 168-171
Dowd, N. E. (2010). Man Question: Male Subordination and Privilege. New York, NY, USA:
New York University Press (NYU Press).
Macomber, K. (2015). "I’m sure as hell not putting any man on a pedestal": Male privilege and
accountability in domestic and sexual violence work. Journal of Interpersonal Violence
Privilege, male (2009)
Buchholz, Zachary D., and Boyce, Samantha K. Masculinity. (2009): Gender Roles,
Characteristics and Coping. New York, NY, USA.
Carrington, B, Tymms, P, & Merrell, C. (2008). Role Models, School improvement and the
gender gap, do men bring out the best in boys and women the best in girls? British Educational
Research Journal, 34, (3), 315-327