Global Empirical Studies on Representation of Various Forms of Masculinity: A Critical Reflection

Social construction of gender based on essentialist views is limited in its scope. It defines gender as static and inflexible, and creates unnecessary pressures of conformity while perpetuating inequality. When considering social constructs of gender one often equates this topic with ideas of femininity. As identified by Connell (2005), social construction of gender is also represented within the male population. In Chapter 18 of her book, Gendered Intersections: An Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies (2005), Connell draws from global ethnographic studies on the representation of various forms of masculinity. She further discusses emerging trends in masculinities, and the potential benefits of continuing the above-mentioned research. The topics addressed in Connell's reading are highly reflective of the themes and issues represented within our course, such as those of how sex and gender are created throughout history and by societies, how feminist movements have brought attention to the constructs of gender, inequality and hierarchies, as well as the concept of essentialism. I have chosen to discuss Connell's reading because of its impact on my own understanding of oppression. Prior to my return to school I worked as an Addiction Counsellor. In my practice I provided services from an anti-opressive framework, and the majority of my work was done with a young female population. Connell's reading caught my attention because even though I had the knowledge of masculinity and femininity as a social construct, I was unaware of the extent of oppression within masculinities. Although I agree when Connell (2005) argues that “social research [of masculinities] is useful at three levels: increasing understanding, solving practical pr...

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...ndependent of social constructs of femininity can promote a further divide between gender. Femininity and masculinities can not be treated as separate, as they clearly exist in relation to one another. By intersecting empirical research to encompass both constructs science can promote the decline of a further divide between them. As previously mentioned, a wider scope of research has the ability to create a greater extent of awareness, to promote further prevention practices, to identify possibly unnoticed patterns of intersectionality, and to provide techniques to address these concerns at their roots.

Works Cited

Connell, R.W. (2005). Understanding men: Gender, sociology and the new international research on masculinities. In L. Biggs & P. Downe (Eds.), Gendered intersections: An introduction to women's and gender studies (pp.133-137). Canada: Fernwood.