Year: 1996
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Manly Expectations: Memories of Masculinities in SchoolThis thesis examines the role educational institutions play in shaping and enforcmg hegemonic masculinity.Boys and young men spend much of their adolescence within sch~ols where the demand to conform to an "ideal" masculinity becomes central to social and educational dynamics.Those who do not conform to a stereotypically rigid definition of masculinity, or choose not to conform to it can face social isolation and even violence at the hands of their peers.Fourteen participants, male, female, transgendered, gay and straight were interviewed about their memories of masculinities in schools.Their reported experiences revealed many conflicts between young men and masculinities, in the school environment.Physical Education was a common focus for the males interviewed.The lack of privacy in change rooms and showers contributed to the sorting of young men.The differences between the masculine "ideal" in school and some participants' bodies often led to the construction of low self-esteem and poor body image.Sexual identity and homophobia are examined as important elements of masculinity in school.Participants experienced feelings of shame and humiliation of having been bullied at school that they had kept silent for years.The participants also shared memories of teachers modeling masculine behaviour.The female participants remembered helping to enforce a hegemonic masculinity.This thesis argues that educational institutions need to examine the role they play in perpetuating a m a s c u l i n i t y based solidly in inequality.If schools actively participate in challenging hegemonic masculinity instead of perpetuating it, more students have a greater chance of leaving school with a better sense of self-worth, and with the knowledge that the inequity, homophobia and misogyny ingrained in masculinity can and should be challenged.
Source: Summit (Simon Fraser University)
Author: Kevin Davison
Language: English
Subfield: Gender Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W71811646