Introduction
Intersectionality is an important aspect for people to better understand the complexity of the nature of identity and self-definition. Understanding and studying the relationship between these variables is essential in order to understand how they influence and shape life. After reading R. W. Connell and James W. Messerschmidt’s “Hegemonic masculinity: Rethinking the concept,” I understood hegemonic masculinity more and how it impacts my own identity as a Chinese woman.
Theorists
The concept of “hegemonic masculinity” by Connell and Messerschmidt is innovative, representing a different perspective on traditional masculinity. Theorists Connell and Messerschmidt are sociologists who have long studied masculinity as a social concept. They challenged its traditional perception by presenting the concept as not fixed. The author’s work highlights how this concept can negatively affect men and women without giving them complete freedom of action. This directly relates to gender identity as an element of definition and something that can be closely related to both sexes.
Personal Experience
As a Chinese, I have witnessed many of the expectations that my native society has for my identity. At the same time, intersecting forces influenced these expectations to a certain extent and created less comfortable conditions for women of my identity. At the same time, gender roles are often distributed to reflect the maximum passivity and humility that should be inherent in women.
Applying the Concept to Real Life
The concept of hegemonic masculinity emphasizes that this state of affairs is socially constructed and may differ in societies depending on variables (Connell and Messerschmidt 838). In addition, it is also important that heterosexuality can have a big impact on how my personality was formed. This concerns the necessity of taking this aspect into the context of society. Therefore, my orientation has given me certain advantages as it is considered the norm in my traditional society.
My own experience and the theory of hegemonic masculinity may converge, as I have noticed how some of the aspects of my mind map affect me. A young middle-class person can benefit significantly more from public functions such as education. However, intersectional identity is also influenced by my ability to play the cello. This is justified by the fact that, in many ways, young middle-class people of my gender face expectations about music (Beck and Nyíri 926). By studying my abilities and dispositions, Connell’s framework can show how I can use them in society to achieve better results.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is worth noting that the concept of “hegemonic masculinity” can clarify many aspects that relate to how society forms stereotypes and expectations regarding specific people based on their intersectional identity. This parameter can be determined using a mind map. It is important because it can explain many aspects that depend on the particular environment. The interaction of such aspects as gender, gender, ethnicity, race, orientation, and social class can determine how much a person is privileged or vice versa, in the concept of “hegemonic masculinity.”
Works Cited
Beck, Fanni, and Pál Nyíri. “It’s All for the Child”: The Discontents of Middle-class Chinese Parenting and Migration to Europe.” The China Quarterly 251 (2022): 913-934. Web.
Connell, Robert, and James Messerschmidt. “Hegemonic masculinity: Rethinking the concept.” Gender & Society, vol. 19, no. 6, pp. 829-859, 2005. Web.