Hegemonic Masculinity: Reviewing the Gendered Analysis of Men's Power in South Africa

Morrell, Robert; Jewkes, Rachel; Lindegger, Graham; Hamlall, Vijay

doi:10.1080/21528586.2013.784445

Cited by 100 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 32 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Gender-based power imbalances are one of the most compelling explanations for IPV among women (Blanc, 2001). Power may be connected with IPV through its association with masculinity, male dominance, and control over women (Choi & Ting, 2008; Jewkes, 2002;Morrell, Jewkes, Lindegger, & Hamlall, 2013). In South Africa, for example, women in relationships with high levels of male control were more likely to report recent or previous IPV (Dunkle et al, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Marital Infidelity and Intimate Partner Violence in Rural Malawi: A Dyadic Investigation

Conroy

2014

Arch Sex Behav

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Extramarital sexual partnerships are a common reason for intimate partner violence (IPV) in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the fact that IPV requires an interaction between two partners, the majority of the research focuses on individuals rather than the broader relationship context where such violence takes place. Using a sample of 422 married couples from rural Malawi, this study examined the dyadic environment of marital infidelity and two types of IPV victimization: sexual coercion and physical abuse. We considered both self-reported marital infidelity and perceived partner infidelity to assess how well partners knew each other and to compare their respective associations with IPV. Logistic regression was used to test for associations between self-reported marital infidelity and IPV. Multilevel logistic regression was used to examine actor and partner effects of perceived partner infidelity on an individual’s and their partner’s experience of IPV. The results show that self-reported marital infidelity was not significantly associated with IPV for men or women. However, the perception of a partner’s infidelity was significantly associated with both an individual’s and their partner’s risk for sexual coercion and physical abuse. Contrary to the “sexual double standard” hypothesis, women were not significantly more likely than men to report being physically abused when their partners suspected infidelity. Future studies should continue to explore the relationship context of IPV in sub-Saharan Africa in order to understand how spouses mutually shape each other’s experience of IPV and subsequent health outcomes.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Marital Infidelity and Intimate Partner Violence in Rural Malawi: A Dyadic Investigation

Conroy

2014

Arch Sex Behav

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Hegemonic masculinity describes the normative behaviours and practices that allow for male dominance over women (Connell 2012). This form of masculinity usually embodies the most honoured way of being a man in a certain cultural setting, which can be a small community or a larger society, and it differs over time (Connell and Messerchmidt 2005;Morrell et al 2013;Schofield et al 2000). Hegemonic masculinity is the ideal that men measure themselves against and are also measured against by other men (Connell 1987;Morrell et al 2013).…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…This form of masculinity usually embodies the most honoured way of being a man in a certain cultural setting, which can be a small community or a larger society, and it differs over time (Connell and Messerchmidt 2005;Morrell et al 2013;Schofield et al 2000). Hegemonic masculinity is the ideal that men measure themselves against and are also measured against by other men (Connell 1987;Morrell et al 2013). Courtenay (2000) defines masculinity as a collective gender identity with a set of behaviours that most men are encouraged to perform, which is fluid and socially constructed rather than a natural attribute.…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘As a man I felt small’: a qualitative study of Ugandan men’s experiences of living with a wife suffering from obstetric fistula

Barageine

Faxelid

Byamugisha

et al. 2015

Culture, Health & Sexuality

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The effects of obstetric fistula surpass the individual woman and affect husbands, relatives, peers and the community at large. Few studies have documented the experiences of men who live with wives suffering from fistula. In this study, our objective was to understand how fistula affects these men's lives. We conducted 16 in-depth interviews with men in central and western Uganda. We used thematic narrative analysis and discuss our findings based on Connell's theory of hegemonic masculinity. Findings show that the men's experiences conflicted with Ugandan norms of hegemonic masculinity. However, men had to find other ways of explaining their identity, such as portraying themselves as small men but still be responsible, caring husbands and fathers. The few individuals who married a second wife remained married to the wife with the fistula. These men viewed marriage as a lifetime promise before God and a responsibility that should not end because of a fistula. Poverty, love, care for children and social norms in a patriarchal society compelled the men to persevere in their relationship amidst many challenges.

show abstract

“…The presentation of dominant hegemony in South Africa varies across racial and class divides, yet men maintain their dominance in most public settings through aggression and sexual conquest (Morrell et al 2013;Van den Berg et al 2013). The majority of women contribute to the production and maintenance of this masculine dominance through compliance with dominant gender relations and the belief that they are submissive and powerless (Morrell et al 2013;Van den Berg et al 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

The effects of sport participation on gender relations: Case studies of female footballers in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa

Ogunniyi

2015

South African Review of Sociology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

South Africa has progressive political policies concerning women with a high percentage of women in political positions, while simultaneously having some of the worst indicators of gender relations internationally, including high rates of rape and domestic violence. This article examines how participation in football can challenge hegemonic masculinity in South African society and sport through comprehensive case studies of women's football in the townships of Johannesburg and Cape Town. Internationally, sport has demonstrated a positive effect on improving gender relations. This includes opportunities for women to gain selfesteem and confidence, have constructive interactions with men, and challenge unequal gender norms. However, sport can contribute to the ostracisation of women and further entrench male hegemony. A mixed methods approach was used to collect case studies of 21 female footballers involving 81 interviews of players, household members, coaches, and administrators in addition to 33 focus groups with players and peers. Gender relations are discussed on three levels: macro -26 OgunniyiThe effects of sport participation access to national positions of authority and financial resources; meso -access to community facilities and school opportunities as well as changed perceptions and team acceptance of alternative sexualities; and micro -effects on interpersonal relationships, individual educational opportunities, and division of household labour.Past research provides an overview of these three levels relating to hegemonic masculinity within the general South African society and how sport can address these issues. More longitudinal research is needed to determine whether these changes are significant enough to make long-term differences and have an effect on gender relations in the larger South African society.

show abstract

Hegemonic Masculinity: Reviewing the Gendered Analysis of Men's Power in South Africa

Cited by 100 publications

References 32 publications

Marital Infidelity and Intimate Partner Violence in Rural Malawi: A Dyadic Investigation

Marital Infidelity and Intimate Partner Violence in Rural Malawi: A Dyadic Investigation

‘As a man I felt small’: a qualitative study of Ugandan men’s experiences of living with a wife suffering from obstetric fistula

The effects of sport participation on gender relations: Case studies of female footballers in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About