Hegemonic masculinity is characterized by a dominant male population. In hegemonic masculinity there is an aspect of a dominant male gender controlling resources over the female gender. Hegemonic masculinity is mainly driven by the society’s perception of different roles. The society defines some jobs as entirely for men while others entirely for women. In the society, despite the many campaigns that has been carried out by different organizations the society remains inclined to the social construct that defines a different role for each gender.
Hegemonic masculinity in the college starts in the selection of the programs to be taken by different students. The society expects the male gender to pursue some college programs while others are retained mainly for the female students. The society associates most programs that are a little challenging to be pursued by the male gender. Young female students in their primary level are made to believe that programs such as engineering, computing, and many others are for men. The perception has made most of the ladies miss lucrative careers. The society has made female students believe that they should be involved in programs that are described to be feminine and simple. The few female students who have been able to overcome have performed exceptionally well, even becoming better than their male counterparts.
At the college, it is common practice for the ladies to be assigned roles that touch on catering, cleaning, and any other activity that society considers as feminine. Mostly, the male students will wait to be served by the female students. It is common for the male student to wait for female students to prepare food. The perception has been passed down in the social hierarchy where women in the society are mainly involved in taking care of the family. It is a disadvantage to the female student since it gives the male student an advantage. Ladies spend a lot of their time serving the men who are busy with their studies. Some women, however, have managed to overcome being subjected to such treatment.
Hegemonic masculinity is also manifested in sporting activities. The college encourages both male and female students to take part in all sporting activities. However, the society has associated different sport with different genders (Grindstaff and West). The male dominated sports have attracted sponsorship and support from the corporate world. Most of the male dominated sports have hence become very lucrative. It has earned the male students high paying careers as compared to female associated sports. Most of the female students, however, have defied the social norms to perform very well in the male-dominated Sports.
Hegemonic masculinity has shaped college life for most students. The society is always very harsh on the female gender on moral issues. The hostility has been experienced in colleges with the female students who are expected to demonstrate the highest moral standards as opposed to the male students. It is hence very clear that the society perceptions of masculinity and femininity have a significant impact on how students behave. Advancements have however been made by the many campaigned that target to correct the social setting.
Work cited
Grindstaff, Laura, and Emily West. "Hegemonic Masculinity On The Sidelines Of Sport". Sociology Compass 5.10 (2011): 859-881. Web.
