Exploring a New Direction for Masculinity Studies in Japan: Beyond Identifying and Tackling Structural Constraints on Men

HIRAYAMA Ryo

doi:10.50962/wsj.27.0_42

<p> This article proposes that masculinity scholars direct more considerable attention to when and how diverse notions of what men are like (i.e., masculinities) are utilized to stabilize and reproduce unequal gender relations. In doing so, I argue that the conceptual framework of hegemonic masculinity helps us to analyze how multiple masculinities are discursively organized and mobilized to cultivate and reinforce people's tolerant attitudes toward structural male supremacy. Although hegemonic masculinity has been typically understood/misunderstood as the most powerful, celebrated form of masculinity in a societal setting, which Messerschmidt (2016) termed as dominant masculinity, what characterizes hegemonic masculinity is its function for unequal gender relations; that is, a particular notion of what men are like can be described as hegemonic masculinity when it helps to legitimize men's privilege. Referring to the prevailing view of men as inhibited from engaging in family caregiving by the long-hour work culture in Japan, I discuss how such a view can function as hegemonic masculinity that makes people hesitant to openly criticizing men's little involvement with personal care work. This article also discusses how the framework of hegemonic masculinity helps masculinity scholars to reflect on their work such that they will not become inadvertently implicated in legitimizing unequal gender relations.</p>

Exploring a New Direction for Masculinity Studies in Japan: Beyond Identifying and Tackling Structural Constraints on Men

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