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NOT TO CRY: A HEGEMONIC MASCULINITY

FACTOR IN BOYS OF PAKISTANI SOCIETY

Submitted by
Rabia Majid (12)
Rafia Raza (28)
Rizma Ahmed (29)
Esha Majid (38)

Supervisor
Dr. Tahira Akbar

Department of Gender Studies

University of the Punjab Lahore, Pakistan
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Abstract
The notion of hegemonic masculinity demonstrates men’s power over women. Connell’s

theoretical concept of hegemonic masculinity has been extremely influential in feminist

sociology. The study aims to analyze factors in Pakistan that reinforce hegemonic masculine

attitudes and mindsets. These masculine attitudes that maintain the idea of male supremacy

cause many social problems. Using the theoretical framework of Hegemonic Masculinity

developed by Connell as the foundation, the study thus aims to examine the extent to which

such notions are presented in society. This article will help us to understand why boys do not

cry, however, they are raised in a way that makes them aggressive. This qualitative research

has pointed out the linkage between media portraits and notions of patriarchy such as

masculinity. These media portrayals have been established to reinforce the notions of

conventional and traditional masculine and feminine roles. These conservative gender

perspectives, in turn, are strongly related to various negative consequences such as violence,

harassment, detriment, and discrimination against women. It seems that hegemonic

masculinity is widespread throughout the world, but it is invisible; it is generated in society,

provoking abuses against women and killing men, empowering patriarchal norms, and

creating gender inequalities in the public and private sectors. Hegemonic male

representations are not the norm that has been established that some hegemonic features such

as authority and technical competence are more common compared to other functions, such

as aggressiveness and subordination of women. This article goes in-depth to know how

hegemonic masculinity is constructed with the existence of complicity masculine male

members of the student body. Resultantly, 80% of the respondents agreed that some factors

contribute to the oppression of women, subordination of trans-persons, and broken family

system. The remaining 20% are those who disagreed with this statement.

Keywords: gender, hegemony masculinity, subordination, society,

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Introduction

Hegemonic masculinity is referred to as an institution that legitimizes men's dominant status

in society and explains the subordination of men who constitute marginalized masculinities

(such as gay) and of women. Male superiority role is reinforced by observing older boys and

the reactions of authority figures, including parents in the home and people in society. The

concept of being male not only demonstrates the superiority of the male gender but also puts

it up on a aggrandize as something to aspire to. Any man who desires to embody such

masculinity must exhibit aggressive and violent behavior while restraining the flow of

vulnerable emotions. The reason behind choosing this research is to fill the gap by

reconnoitering the factors contributing to hegemonic masculinity in our society. Although the

debate on masculinity is generated across many sites such as the home, family, the state, etc

they become more prominent when they are transmitted and circulated through the media and

society. Hegemonic masculinity entails the development of stereotypical, socially constructed

differences between males and females. This form of gender socialization perpetuates

dominance and subordination between and within gender roles. The notion of hegemony has

its genesis in the writing of Gramsci, a status of dominance attained through relative

consensus rather than regular force, even if supported by force (Gramsci,1971). The

consensus is established among those who are benefitted from the promotion of masculinity,

as well as many of those who are oppressed by it, especially women and gays. Although

Pakistani society is changing yet the procedure of change is at a slow pace. This is

predominantly due to the prevalence of old-age systems of masculinity as well as the

unavailability of education and resources. All these factors are combined to forge a society

that is deeply conservative and patriarchal. Although the debate on masculinity is generated

and circulated through the media. Media portrays certain viewpoints over others and

propagates the idea that television reality is the actual social reality. Although gender roles
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not only in western society but most of the world have undergone radical changes from the

preliminary times where only the men were the heads of the households and women were

mostly housewives yet the media is still at times perpetuating the primary stereotypes.

Considerable research has pointed out the linkage between media portraits and notions of

patriarchy such as masculinity. These media portrayals have been established to reinforce the

notions of conventional/ traditional masculine and feminine roles. These conservative gender

perspectives, in turn, are strongly related to various negative consequences such as violence,

harassment, detriment, and discrimination against women. This demonstrates that media

portrays masculinity that needs to be assessed to diagnose what kinds of messages about

gender norms are being perpetuated. however, as men attempt to achieve hegemonic

masculinity, they create distinct forms of masculinities that provoke a social hierarchical

structure that exerts profound effects on society. All men are subjected to social pressure to

conform to the dominant position of being a man; those who do not, are typically

marginalized and subordinated. This happens, for instance, to those that identify as gay, or

those that are labeled as ‘effeminate’. As a result, a range of gender forms and sexualities that

are not ‘dominant’ is subordinated.

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Literature Review

Hegemonic Masculinity is a worldwide phenomenon, which breeds at different levels in

numerous societies. (Connell,1995) defined hegemonic masculinity as a “configuration of

gender practice which embodies personify the currently accepted answer to the problem of

the legitimacy of patriarchy, which guarantees (or is taken to guarantee) the dominant status

of men and the subordination of women.” Hegemonic masculinity is therefore conceptualized

predominantly in terms of its normativity -representing the most widespread and most

revered method of being a man in a given context at a given time, determining all other men

and women to position themselves accordingly and legitimizing the extensive discrepancy

between men and women (Messerschmidt,2005). Hegemonic masculinities are constructed

concerning women and the other subordinated or alternative masculinities. Marginalized

masculinities are non-hegemonic because of the interplay of social inequalities other than

genders, such as race, ethnicity, and class, and protest masculinities constructed as

compensatory hyper-masculinity formed in reaction to social positions lacking economic and

political power (Messerchmidt,2019). Hegemony makes linty has traditionally emphasized.

The significance of the body as a key benchmark for the masculine is a prototype. Even less

is regarded about masculinity work specifically in the content material of Pakistan. The

reviews of indigenous masculinity preformat, inside Pakistan have predominantly been

analyzed. Masculinities inside niche double of religion, social media. Pakistan offers

treasured insights into How masculinizes are performed, embodied, and suppressed in

excessive stress situations due to the fact of prevailing patriarchal norms.

In Pakistan, trans- men are severely segregated and offer no incentive to get an education and

earn a healthy living, making them street beggars for straight men to gain all the power.

Hegemonic masculinity seems to be widespread throughout the world, but it is invisible; it is

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generated in society, provoking abuses against women and killing men, empowering

patriarchal norms and creating gender inequalities in the public and private sectors.

According to Philosopher Antonio Gramsci, hegemony is about winning and attaining

supremacy to exercise power, ability to coerce, if need be (Donaldson,1993). Hegemonic

masculinity is the concept that explains the cultural behavior of men in society is not hosting

other manufacturers, but this is a representation of the privilege and uses men collectively on

women.

Figure 1: Cycle of Hegemonic Masculinity of Connell

The principles of hegemonic masculinity include rapid behavior and aggression, resistance to

expression of emotions and showing strength, seeding, racism, and homophobia, that

hegemonic makeup messages have integrated the size of power, early childhood, boys are

captured that they are not crying and be strong and courageous and returning from sensitivity

because it refers to being a female. Hegemonic masculinity is rare, but it exists and reaches

its single vision, it is not easy, so it is the same way in which hegemonic masculinity clearly

defines men independent of emotional, aggressive, unzipped, and not passionate United

Nations perfection of femininity.

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Hegemony can additionally lead to excessive morbidity and abundance in men due to

opposition to the pursuit of scientific health. Hegemonic masculinity is cultivated in Pakistan,

where women, queer, trans- men are extremely marginalized and deprived of their rights. The

toxicity of hegemonic masculinity goes unnoticed, while women are uncovered to

psychological, bodily, and sexual abuse and do not pronounce sentences for justice.

According to sociologist Richard Gelles except for police and military, the family is the

most violent group in the society (Hadi,2017). The effect of hegemonic masculinity on

societies is to create awareness regarding the possible solutions for them to be implemented.

The political and financial establishments of society are affected through the outcomes of

hegemonic masculinity. Qandeel Baloch, a social media star, was suppressed by using her

honor secretary, signifying the electricity of men over women. Hegemonic masculinity is a

social stigma in Pakistani Society.

The most popular television stars emitted in Pakistan enhance the ideas of hegemonic

attitudes and mentality and mentality. These male attitudes perpetuate the concept that male

superiority was found to cause many social problems. Hegemonic male representations are

not the norm that has been established that some hegemonic features such as authority and

technical competence are more common compared to other functions, such as aggressiveness

and subordination of women. This article ahead goes in-depth as to how hegemonic

masculinity is constructed in the university and with the existence of hegemonic masculinity

is the complicity masculine male member of the student body.

Hegemonic masculinity may also incur high rates of morbidity due to resistance to seek

medical health early (Schrock&Schwalble,2009). Research has found that men’s authority

and technical competence are more common as compared to other traits such as

aggressiveness and subordination of women (JM,2008).Some hegemonic traits such as

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authority and technical competence have been found to be more common as compared to

other traits such as aggressiveness and subordination of women (Malik,2021).

According to Psychologists one of the ways that hegemonic masculinity traits are constructed

in University going adolescent is through “masculinizing activities that set(boys) apart from

girls ” (Dude,2011).Construction of male hegemony through education in Peshawar, a major

Pakistani City According to muted group theory, males are part of the dominant culture

whereas females develop in a subordinate culture. Pakistani Families are regulated in the

bases of power and control the leader where the male is the focal character. Focusing on the

Pakistani/Afghan context, Jihad masculinity primarily as a contemporary permutation of a

local /regional hegemonic masculinity rooted in traditional patriarchy and tribal values that

promote masculine aggressiveness and dominance and emphasize concepts of honor and

shame (Aslam,2014).Hegemonic masculinity theory has constructed to understandings of

gender.

Objectives

1. To analyze factors that contribute to hegemonic masculinity in our society.

2. To look hegemonic masculinity is the root cause of women subordination.

3. To see hegemonic masculinity leads to broken family system.

Research Methodology

Research Methods are ways of collecting and analyzing data. The common methods from

which we collected data include like; case studies, surveys, questionnaires, etc. The variables,

population and sample of our research proposal are given below:

Variables: Variable which we selected for our research article is males which are the notion

of unfair division of resources. Women and Employees are constant in this research.
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Population: Our research article Population is the Students of department of Gender Studies

of Punjab University, Lahore. It includes; males of age between 20-25 .Our total Population

is of 30 male students of department of gender studies.

Sample: The samples of our research article includes; the male students from department of

Gender Studies, Punjab University Lahore.

Discussion

1. Analyzing factors that contribute hegemonic masculinity in our society.

The first objective illustrates that some factors promote hegemonic masculinity. According to

our survey, we came to know that hegemonic masculinity is a social stigma in society. 5% of

the respondents strongly agreed upon this that enforcement of hegemony in males is through

our society which becomes the cause of women suppression. 5% were those who disagreed

with this. I think hegemonic masculinity is a system constructed into social institutions to

make it appear normal and natural for the maintenance superordinate position of men. For

instance, major societal institutions including government, the economy, and the family are

structured to reinforce and reproduce male hegemony in ways ranging from structure,

credentialing, and even cultural symbolic expressions. Additionally, the hierarchical

correlations of men with other men are expressed in both social structures as well as cultural

expectations such as; gays' resistance in the military or the gendering of occupations,

including typically female jobs like a librarian, elementary teacher, or nurse. Culturally

dominant behavior of men in society leads to discrimination. It is not hegemonic to other

masculinities only, but it is a representation of privilege and leverage men collectively have

over women. Social structures including; family(parents) and then people in our

surroundings generate gender discrimination of being ‘masculine’ or ‘feminine.’ A feminist

and socialist scholar, Simone de Beauvoir, elucidates that the binary understanding of sex
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implies man being superior to others and delimit between the notion of ‘sex’ and ‘gender.’

“One is not born woman, but rather becomes a woman” (Beauvoir, 1949) represents gender

as a social role. Considering family as the first factor that establishes hegemonic masculinity,

here there is an example to satisfy this. Pakistani social media star, Qandeel Baloch, was

killed by her brother for honor, which denotes the invincible power of men over women. By

killing a woman, he not only restored the honor of the family but also publicly demonstrates

his ability. Such honor-based violence contra women take place not only in small settlements

but in significant cities of Pakistan as well. However, these are the factors that promote

hegemonic masculinity.

2. Hegemonic masculinity is the root cause of women subordination and trans-

persons

This objective discussed how hegemonic masculinity is the root cause of women's

subordination and trans-persons? About 20% of respondents (male students) agree with that

point, hegemonic masculinity is based on women's and trans-person’s subjugation, yet the

latter are crucial in the development and reproduction of the social model. Hegemonic

Masculinity, according to Connell and Messner's works, comprises a specialized technique

for the subordination of women. The question arises that is hegemonic masculinity causes

violence against women and trans-persons? About 10% of respondents (male students)

disagree with that statement. The male students of the University believed that masculine

norms, in particular, are conceptualized in a way that supports men's dominance and women's

subjugation. Sexual aggression is a common tactic for preserving control over girls. Few

male students agree that a man must be dominant in society and girls must be subordinated

for this authority to be maintained. Many male students are liked to demonstrate hegemonic

masculinity as such that men are expected to follow a tight set of male gender norms to

demonstrate hegemonic masculinity. Men are urged to avoid displaying feminine

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characteristics such as emotionality, hardness, and violent behaviour. Now, the question

arises is the subordination of women is the aggressive and violent attitude of men or not?

Then 10% of respondents (male students) agreed/responded with that statement the

safeguarding of practices that institutionalize men's control over women is referred to as

hegemonic masculinity. Across the globe, violence against women is being recognized as a

severe public health issue. Hegemonic masculinity refers to the normative notion that being a

man means being dominant in society and that girls must be subordinated to sustain power

(Messerschmift,2019). Men are expected to follow a rigorous set of predefined masculine

gender roles that work to establish male domination through subjugation to demonstrate

hegemonic masculinity. The subordination of women is those in which males are

outperformed or made to feel vulnerable as a result of a woman's actions. A man in a

submissive position suffers from this. The answer to that question (Is hegemonic masculinity

is a framework where stereotypically masculine traits are overemphasized)? When men do

not practice gender by the dominant system and ideology, they risk being subordinated.

Connell's theory is that hegemonic masculinity as a system is established into social

institutions for men's superior status to appear normal and natural. Hegemonic complicity can

be measured on four different levels: ideal masculinity, hierarchical ranking, and subjugation

of women's behaviour (Connell,1995). Hegemonic masculinity is uncommon, but it does

exist, and achieving its unified vision is difficult, thus it comes at a price. To achieve the ideal

level of manhood and feel less excluded, men who feel inadequate, weak, and imperfect

strive to subordinate other men by bullying them. In Pakistan, where women, gay, and trans-

men are highly marginalized and denied basic rights, hegemonic masculinity is nurtured.

3. Hegemonic masculinity leads to broken family system.

This objective explains how hegemonic masculinity leads to a broken family system. About

25% of respondents responded that hegemonic masculinity leads to a broken family system.
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Hegemonic Masculinity is an issue that, if noticed, can affect the improvement of family

morality and prevent the collapse of family values. Psychological and sociological attempts

were made by the Hegemonic system to remove the ethical norms. Does the question arise as

to how Pakistan's selected Hegemonic System in their family? Because this system

(Hegemonic Masculinity) can dominate the family, other aspects of society, such as politics

and economics will be easy to control. About 5% of respondents disagree that the family is

ruled by the Hegemonic Masculinity System. In another perspective, the family is like the

major castle, which if conquered, will easily lead to the capture of smaller castles and the

anticipated trenches. Hegemonic Masculinity is a perpetual source of conflict. The question

asked from participants that Do hegemonic masculinity give a man more power over women?

So, many respondents strongly agreed with that statement that hegemonic masculinity causes

subjugation of women in Pakistani society.

Conclusion

Hegemonic Masculinity refers to socially manufactured notions of manliness, such as

stereotyped traits of strength, aggression, power, and domination in interpersonal

relationships (Connell & Messerschmidt,2005). In particular, men may encounter gender-

specific internal and external impediments to aid in the search for hegemonic masculinity,

such as conventions and standards (Allen-Collinson,2009). Men's devotion to hegemonic

masculinity, such as self-reliance and stoicism, create internal hurdles. Hegemonic

masculinity has historical roots in both social psychology and sociology, both of which

contributed to the literature on the male sex role, which began to identify the social nature of

masculinity and the potential of change in men's behaviour (Helen,1957). Originally,

hegemonic masculinity was defined as a style of behaviour that permitted men to maintain

their domination over women. Hegemonic masculinity among whites sustains institutional
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oppression in a racial setting. Hegemonic masculinity is a notion that helps us understand

how the presence of several masculinities creates hierarchical dominance not just between

men and women, but also within males. The pressure to adhere to and relate to this idealized

dominating masculinity maintains society's gender-biased hierarchy. Depending on the

community in which it is anchored, the sort of hegemonic masculinity that controls social

hierarchies has distinct characteristics. Nonetheless, it shares characteristics with other

geographical and historical communities. The consequences of hegemonic masculinity's

presence are subsequently transferred into society's institutional, legal, political, and

economic domains, perpetuating gender inequity between genders. Furthermore, men and

women must match the roles that are socially allocated to them, the social role of a man

might perpetuate gender-biased societal norms that stifle creativity. The absence of life

options and choices severely limits an individual's ability to choose the life that he or she

values. As a result, hegemonic masculinity has far-reaching consequences in society, hurting

social equality and human development.

Limitations

There are some possible limitations in this research. Primarily the population was minimum

which made the result doubtful because the collected data is not sufficient: only 30

participants were involved. Secondly, there was a short period of discussing and analyzing

the respective course. Since this research was conducted only department of Gender Studies

of Punjab University, so no additional time was allotted and peer feedback sessions were also

limited.