Libby's Odyssey

Patriarchy, the concept believed to underpin masculine power, can be defined as “rule of the father”. This concept encompasses the acts of patriarchy that are familial, hence the inclusion of the term “father”, typically referencing the control that individual men have over individual women. Patriarchy, as a broad term, affects more than just the individual, rather translates to all aspects of life despite culture or ideals, boasting male domination and female subordination. Broadly, patriarchy is defined as “a system of social structures, and practices in which men dominate, oppress and exploit women” (Walby 1989).

When discussing power and the patriarchy, one concept that must be examined is hegemonic masculinity. Hegemonic masculinity is defined as a concept created by men in power who do not wish to share their rule, utilised to “include and exclude” certain groups and divide society in a way that benefits men in power most efficiently (Jewkes and Morrell 2015). This idea assists supremacy within the social hierarchy of certain types of masculinity and ensures that women, people who are not men, and marginalised men stay inferior. In current Western society, hegemonic masculinity encompasses ideas of domination, heterosexuality, physical strength, suppression of emotion and whiteness (Connell and Messerschmidt 2005). When referring to masculinity as a structure, this is referencing the social structure of society today that champions dominant forms of masculinity, the theory of hegemonic masculinity naming this ideal. Men, and masculinity, are at the heart of societal structure. Whether it is discernible or not, masculine power holds a structural advantage, with most positions of leadership and decision-making being awarded to men, they are the ones who decide how society is run, and consequentially, who stays in power. This power can only be preserved through relations to women and non-hegemonic masculinities, as the structure of society must be maintained through constant reconfirmation from these groups. Antonio Gramsci coined the idea that ‘cultural hegemony’ is achieved through ‘consent’ rather than ‘coercion’, a concept that Connell later applies to gender. This highlights that the relational nature between the dominant and the subordinate is a “pattern of hegemony” that legitimises gender inequality (Messerschmidt 2019).

Masculine power as a process can also be associated with hegemonic masculinity, as men attempt to live up to these hegemonic expectations, their identities and behaviours lean towards hegemony as they look for social acceptance and ways to maintain their dominance (Connell, 1995). Additionally, in “Gender Trouble,” the performative nature of gender is discussed, where the repeated acts of conforming to gendered societal expectations reinforce power structures (Butler 1990). This concept highlights that gender roles and power structures do not form overnight, rather they are perpetuated through centuries of repetition, a process.

Masculine power is considered a resource. Those who conform to hegemonic masculine ideals often have improved access to financial resources as they are granted better job opportunities, higher wages, and more control over their own finances (Connell and Messerschmidt 2005). Regarding education, institutions are often structured to benefit the male population, leveraging them with increased knowledge and superior qualifications (Acker 1995).