Masculinity In The Work Force

Masculinity in the work force can often times be a prerequisite for a job and is used as a criteria for whether a male is emotionally stable or homosexual. This notion is particularly depicted in the police work force, where there is zero tolerance for homosexual officers or even the recruitment of discredited homosexuals. There is a blatant aspect of masculinity in the police force where gambling, sexism, and alcohol is part of the working culture, with "beer, sport, and women- preferably all at once" (Burke 1994:194). Therefore, when job applications and promotions ask for marital status, there is a similar criteria for masculinity involved with an individual's age and marital preferences. As a male in the work force, a bachelor status is acceptable only until the age of thirty, whereby any older male who is single at this age is considered unusual and it a cause for suspicion.

"Practice of not dating or engaging in office sex talk, style of dress and demeanor, living with male room-mates, continued single status, cultural interests, friends - all elicit suspicions of homosexuality" (Levine 1979:156). In particular, some New York agencies would even label applicants over 30 as high class fairies where suspicion is granted (Levine 1979:155). Unfortunately, there are various reasons to be single such as divorces, affairs, and separations that should be considered and evaluated, stigmatizing both heterosexual and homosexuals within this age group. Therefore, masculinity can be revealed simply through acts of female attractiveness discussions and is also an aspect of hegemonic value in society. By using femininity as a contrast, masculinity can be inherently