On the enduring relationship between masculinity and homophobia

Abstract

Recent research in the social sciences suggests a methodological paradox as scholars work to make sense of the contemporary relationship between masculinity and homophobia. Representative surveys consistently find dramatically decreasing levels of sexual prejudice among all groups, among men and young men in particular. Qualitative scholarship, however, continues to find that enactments of homophobia remain integral components of contemporary masculine identities. In this article, we make sense of this shift and apparent methodological inconsistency. We do not question which measure is best. Instead, we argue for a need to understand the ways that gendered sexual prejudice transforms in ways that allow the relationship between masculinity and homophobia to endure—sometimes even when it appears to be in decline.

Just a Joke? The Thin Line between Teasing, Harassment and Violence among Teenage Boys in Lower Secondary School

“…The complexity of homophobic insults has also been discussed by other scholars. Diefendorf and Bridges (2020) highlight the importance of a multi-dimensional understanding of the relationship between masculinity and homophobia. They underline the importance of exploring how gender and sexual inequality are connected with dominant masculinity.…”

‘Everything is said with a smile’: Homonegative speech acts in sport

“…There are, however, indications that this assumption of inclusiveness ignores complexities of daily practice and speech acts that are embedded in various discourses. Various scholars (Diefendorf and Bridges, 2020; Pascoe, 2013) have suggested that research needs to focus on how social inequalities are institutionally or systematically reproduced and challenged at the interactional or speech level. A considerable amount of research has found that despite the growing tolerance of sexual diversity, young males engage in what Butler (1997) has called injurious speech acts grounded in same-sex sexuality (e.g.…”

Conflicts in Sporting Masculinity: The Beliefs and Behaviors of Canadian Male Athletes

“…While inclusive masculinity theory has garnered much support, it is also contested (Bridges & Pascoe, 2014;de Boise, 2015;Diefendorf & Bridges, 2020;O'Neill, 2015). Scholars use the term masculinity crisis to describe a misalignment between men's internal expectations and societal norms, occurring when previously held norms are superseded by new standards-particularly when change is precipitous (Levant, 1997;Faludi, 2000).…”