Course:GRSJ224/Militarized Masculinity
Introduction
Definition of Militarized Masculinity
Militarized masculinity is a combination of traits and attitudes that are hyper-masculine, hegemonic, and are associated primarily with military soldiers.[1] This term is applied to those masculinities, which have been shaped through the military institution or establishment, and are built and constructed as a result of military service.[2] Today, the ideal soldier is still defined as masculine and the warrior remains " a key symbol of masculinity."[3] In times of war, men may come under pressure to support military action, to take up arms, fight, kill and be willing to die for their nation or community.[4] It is this predetermined pressure from society that helps to generate militarized masculinity from the outside as it rewards those who are willing to put their life on the line to protect their country or their family by considering them to be ‘real men’ and ‘heroes’.
Militarized Masculinity During Conflict
Gender Roles During Conflict
Gender roles are those behaviours, which society expects from individuals based on the social reality that they live.[2] These roles have historically been very clearly defined for both men and women, especially in times of conflict. These roles generally involve men having to assume the role of a protector in times of war, as soldiers, while women ought to be caring nurses.[2] For many men, their sense of themselves as masculine is deeply tied to military prowess and adventure.[5] Militaries are known for promising to “make men out of soldiers, and by joining the military, many men are confirming their manliness to others and also to themselves.[1] A concept that dates back thousands of years these gender roles are still very engrained within society today as despite the ability of women to join the military in the U.S. today women only “represent 16 percent of the enlisted forces, and 18 percent of the officer corps.[6]
Why the Military Manifests Masculinity
As a concept, war creates a division between two or more parties.[7] By manifesting a masculine force they are inherently creating an army of soldiers willing to fight to protect “us” from “them”.[7] By creating a group that views themselves and their brothers in arms as superior it works to further demonize the opponent and create less questioning when it comes to taking violent action against that enemy. The purpose of the military as a whole is “violence and… preparing people to destroy other human beings by force.”[7]
How the Military Manifests Masculinity
The qualities demanded by militaries, such as the requisite lust for violence when needed and a corresponding willingness to subordinate oneself to hierarchy and authority when needed, must be self-consciously cultivated.[8] Recruits are taught through systems of discipline and punishment, infused with myths about masculinity and belonging, how to act and perform the part of a soldier.[7] This discipline and punishment as well as hazing is often brutal and abusive but is still considered to be warranted as it helps to 'make men out of boys'. Using violence to turn boys in to men is inherently creating violent men which is ideal for the military.
Militarized Masculinity in the Media
Media Influence on Militarized Masculinity
The U.S. in the late 1970's was desperately searching for moral, political, and cultural heroes, a role that was eventually filled by the stars of blockbuster films.[5] This gave way to the creation of the ‘Alpha Male’ in Hollywood, and created an ideal known as "hard body," a defiant physical masculinity engaged in violent conflict with the forces of evil.[5] The stance, facial expressions, and the weapons clearly connote aggression, courage, a capacity for violence[1] and are a display of confidence and dominance. This worked to promote the ideal that real men were those who fought against some form of enemy with violence and ruthlessness.
Popular Movies Displaying Militarized Masculinity
Case Study
South Sudan
In the South Sudan in Africa militarized masculinity is a very prominent aspect of their cultural process. Much of the violence that takes place due to this is centred around cattle raiding. Owning a gun and participating in a cattle raid are rites of passage for adolescent boys, and for men these are symbols of manhood and virility which confer social status.[4] The aspect of owning a gun as well as using it for material gain is a role that is expected of boys if they are to become men. This gives gender roles a very significant part within the culture as well as women can also be instrumental in reinforcing the association between masculinity and cattle raiding.[4] For example, in many parts of South Sudan, women sing songs to shame men who have not gone on a cattle raid or who have failed to bring back cattle, and songs of praise for those who are successful.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lopes, Hayley (March 14, 2011). "Militarized Masculinity in Peacekeeping Operations: An Obstacle to Gender Mainstreaming" (PDF). peacebuild.ca. Retrieved February 27, 2019. line feed character in
|title=at position 27 (help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Abrahamyan, Milena (February 8, 2017). "Tough Obedience: How is Militarized Masculinity Linked with Violence in the Army?". http://feminism-boell.org. External link in
|website=(help) - ↑ Eichler, Maya (Fall 2014). "Militarized Masculinities in International Relations". The Brown Journal of World Affairs. Vol. 21, Iss. 1: 81-93. – via ProQuest.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Wright, Hannah (October 2014). "Masculinities, conflict and peacebuilding". saferworld.org.uk. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Williams, Christine L. (December 1994). "Militarized masculinity". Qualitative Sociology. Volume 17, Issue 4: pp 415–422 – via Human Sciences Press.CS1 maint: extra text (link)
- ↑ George M. Reynolds, Amanda Shendruk (April 24, 2018). "Demographics of the U.S. Military". Council on Foreign Relations.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Rejali, Saman (March 16, 2015). "Militarized Masculinity and Gendered Security: War and Peace From a Feminist Perspective III". Nato Association of Canada. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
- ↑ Jane L. Parpart, Marysia Zalewski (2008). Rethinking the Wo/man Question in International Relations. London: Zed Books. pp. 109–126.