Masculinity, Patriarchy, and Mental Health - Lecture 5

Gender Role Conflict Theory: O’Neil (1981)

1. Men are biologically superior, have greater human potential

2. Masculinity is more valuable than femininity (a woman engaging in masculine behavior = better)

3. Vulnerability is a sign of femininity and should be avoided

4. Men should not be intimate with other men (even emotionally) - implies homosexuality

5. Work and career are more measures of a man’s masculinity

6. Men are superior in career ability - men should be breadwinners, women should care for children (very heteronormative)

Gender Role Conflict and Strain

• rigid and restrictive gender roles prohibit individuals from reaching full potential

• men are expected to not be emotional - expectations of masculinity are an unrealistic ideal

• discrepancy between real and ideal self

• men may experience guilt when engaging in feminine behaviors, and defensiveness when masculinity is threatened

• men’s need to be powerful may interfere with intimate relationships

• being overly controlling may lead to a loss of vulnerability and emotional freedom

• restriction of male friendships and quality of male friendships

• poor health outcomes

Development of Masculinity - Gender Socialzation

A process:

1. Learn masculine and feminine norms

2. Socialized into dichotomous traditional gender roles

3. Reinforced by peers, parents, media, etc

Patriarchy

a system of society of government in which men hold power and women are excluded

• patriarchy can hurt people of all genders

1. traditional male qualities are central, others are subordinate

2. dichotomous, gendered thinking of roles

3. male domination, to gain power women must act like men

4. protection of traditional patriarchal social structures

5. reinforcement of other oppressions, like racism and homophobia