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Conflict Theory: Hegemonic Masculinity And Patriarchy

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Society's view of gender is created from institutional structures, that are impervious to change. These structures produce social normalities that allows gender inequality to persist in society. Hegemonic masculinity and patriarchy are sociological concepts that influence societies view of gender, creating the standards of 'masculine' and 'feminine' characteristics. Gender socialisation is a process that passes on these ideologies to the new generation, creating a constant cycle of gender inequality. The difference in labour, economic income and hierarchy between gender are the consequences of these discriminative concepts. The constant representation of hegemonic masculinity and patriarchy determines gender as a basis for inequality in contemporary …show more content…

The Conflict theory communicates gender inequality as a form of social stratification in which men dominate women. Conflict theorists believe that men have had access to most of society's resources and privileges. Gender theorist, R.W. Connell describes hegemonic masculinity as 'culturally exalted'; "it's is … the configuration of gender practice which embodies the problem of patriarchy, which guarantees … the dominant position of men and the subordination of women" (Connell, 2005, p. 7). Gender order refers to institutional structures that produce social arrangements that one gender can dominate another - politically, socially and economically. An example of this reality is the 'patriarchal dividend', where men gain economic and social advantages over women (Connell, 2009). The constant cycle of gender inequality is produced from men and women dramatically recreating relationships that mimic patterns of past power relations. This is a result of gender socialisation. For instance, sociologist Mike Donaldson and Scott Poynting (2009) present accounts of Australia's richest and most powerful men. They describe their socialisation processes in their families and schools as the construction of hegemonic masculinity. Where manliness is presented as powerful, brutal and unemotional - limits the value to be caring and nurturing because it is seen as feminine. This illustrates how class and gender is reproduced via family and educational institutions, which are impervious to change. Thus, determining gender as a basis for inequality in contemporary

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