hegemonic masculinity

American  

[hej-uh-mon-ik mas-kyuh-lin-i-tee] / ˌhɛdʒ əˈmɒn ɪk ˌmæs kyəˈlɪn ɪ ti /

noun

1. a socially constructed masculine ideal, defined chiefly in contrast to or as the opposite of femininity, and held up as the most prestigious form of manliness in a heteropatriarchy.

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Etymology

Origin of hegemonic masculinity

First recorded in 1995–2000

Example Sentences

Otherwise, that internal sense of masculinity, felt as “I know it when I see it” and framed within the impossible ideal of hegemonic masculinity, means the siren of crisis always beckons.

From Scientific American • Aug. 3, 2023

As Wang noted, same-sex spouses seem to feel less confined by the strictures of hegemonic masculinity.

From Salon • Nov. 7, 2022

“It arises when agents of hegemonic masculinity feel threatened or undermined, thereby needing to inflate, exaggerate, or otherwise distort their traditional masculinity.”

From The Verge • Jan. 6, 2021

DiGRA had recently held a retreat for Silverstring members on dismantling hegemonic masculinity.

From Forbes • Oct. 13, 2014

“Our study supports the view that hegemonic masculinity is a learned set of beliefs and suggests that early to middle adolescence is a critical development time frame for learning masculinity,” the researchers conclude.

From Time • Jul. 16, 2014