HEGEMONIALE MÄNNLICHKEIT VS. HEGEMONIALE WEIBLICHKEIT: KONZEPTUELLE UND THEORETISCHE GRUNDLAGEN
Hegemonic Masculinity vs. Hegemonic WOMANHOOD: CONCEPT AND THEORY

Summary/Abstract: The concept of ‘hegemonic masculinity’ and the notion of ‘multiple masculinities’ have become since their launch by R. W. Connell (1987; 1995) central constructs in gender studies and sociology of gender, generating numerous theoretical discussions, considerations and reconsiderations, as well as empirical applications. Some scholars, as M. Schippers (2007), building upon the insights of Connell and other authors, challenge the prevailing focus on masculinity and shift attention also to femininity, conceptualizing as well ‘hegemonic femininity’ and ‘multiple femininities’. This paper presents the theoretical background of these concepts, approaching for starters P. Bourdieu’s conceptualizations of gendered habitus and masculine domination, then outlining the main aspects regarding hegemonic masculinity, hegemonic femininity and the multiple configurations within each of them, and highlighting the contributions of Connell and Schippers and their different argumentations. Furthermore there is addressed the link between masculinity and power, along with the actual changes with regard to masculinity and femininity, including the novelties of their hegemonic forms.

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