AS Sociology

Topic 4 – Gender Identities

Gender identities …. A change

Gender identities … a change Gender roles and identities change over time. The roles associated with

men and women are changing. A woman’s place in the past was seen to be in the home, however nowadays

more women are building up careers.

Masculinity Connell (1995) – argues that until recently British men were socialised into

what is known as hegemonic masculinity.

Hegemonic masculinity : hegemonic masculinity is the gender practice that guarantees the dominant social position of men, and the subordinate social position of women.[1] Conceptually, hegemonic masculinity explains how and why men maintain dominant social roles over women, and other gender identities, which are perceived as “feminine” in a given society.

This definition support the view that stereotypical gender roles have been created by men to keep women subordinate.

Connell (1995) – 3 masculinities Complicit masculinity – refers to those men who believe that men and

women should share roles within the family. These men still benefit from patriarchal dividend as even in theses households women are responsible for the lion share of domestic duties.

Connell (1995) – 3 masculinities Subordinate masculinity: refers to homosexual males. Although there is a

greater tolerance and acceptance of homosexuals in society today but this remains a subordinate and stigmatised identity.

Connell (1995) – 3 masculinities Marginalised Masculinity: refers to the response following the decline in

traditional manual labour due to the recession. This mainly affected working class men who saw their identity as the breadwinner and protector disappearing as women were taking on the jobs.

Although Connell identified 3 different if masculinity he also argues that hegemonic masculinity still is the most powerful form.

Masculinity is also seen as something that changes over time as seen the 1980s and 1990s. In the 1980s THE NEW MAN was sensitive, caring and sharing but in the 1990s the sensitive type was upstaged by the rising popularity in the YOBBISH LADS. Role models seen as in the media representing lad culture.

Femininity Postmodernist when looking at femininity argue that changes in gender

roles are having a positive effect on female identity. Women increases participation and success in paid work means that the

traditional notions of femininity are being abandoned.

Femininity Sharpe (1994) – young females are becoming more assertive about their

rights and their priorities with regards to marriage and the family had changed.

Wilkinson (1997) – fundamental shift in values in women under 35. This fundamental change is known as the gender quake and has led to the profound changes in the distribution of power between men and women.

Furthermore, the feminisation of the workplace also contributed to the revolution surrounding women's ambitions.

Are gender roles breaking down ? Ladettes ?

http://estream.bhasvic.internal/View.aspx?ID=376~3D~mJKKCj

Are gender roles breaking down ? Wilkinson (Postmodernist) – growing convergence in the values of men and

women. Men's values are becoming more feminine and women's values are becoming more masculine. Young people are moving away from their traditional gender roles.

Walter (Feminism) – women still do not have equality of access to top jobs and are still expected to take on the responsibility for the upkeep of the home and child rearing.

Liberal feminist – are most hopeful about progress towards gender equality whereas radical feminist are most pessimistic who believe there is a continuing power of traditional socialisation.