International Encyclopedia of Men and Masculinities
Hypermasculinity is an exaggerated expression of traits, beliefs, actions and embodiment considered to be masculine. Central to hypermasculinity is an understanding of normative or ideal masculinity. Traditional conceptions of masculinity including independence, instrumentality, aggressiveness, decisiveness and physical strength (David and Brannon 1976) have been measured at times, as well as theorised as normal (Parsons 1956). Enactments of masculinity in which these traits, most especially aggression and physical strength, are accentuated, can be seen as hypermasculine.
Still, given the work of scholars in the 1980s and 1990s (Connell 1995; Kimmel 1996), few continue to argue in support of a single masculinity but rather recognise multiple masculinities. In fact, these scholars have shown that masculinity and masculinities are relational, not absolute. In other words, being masculine is more often an expression of not being feminine.
Hypermasculinity is an attempt actively to demonstrate masculinity in opposition to femininity. Common expressions include focusing on the male body, style of dress, conversation and actions. Unfortunately, hypermasculinity has become linked to sexism, homophobia, and self-destructive behaviours (Kaufman 1987). Since aggression is often considered a masculine trait, hypermasculinity has been connected to violence, gang activity, domestic violence and attacks on gays. In that others have associated sexual prowess with masculinity (MacKinnon 1996), hypermasculinity has also been tied to both promiscuity and sexual abuse.
While some see hypermasculinity as pathological or at least deviant, sociologists of gender argue that so long as being masculine is understood primarily as demonstrating that one is not feminine, hypermasculinity will often involve exaggerated, dangerous and destructive behaviours.
References and further reading
Connell, R. (1995) Masculinities, Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
David, D.S. and Brannon , R. (19 76) The FortyPercent Majority, Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
Kaufman, M. (1987) ‘The construction of masculinity and the triad of men’s violence’, in M. Kaufman (ed.) Beyond Patriarchy, Toronto: Oxford University Press.
Kimmel, M. (1996) Manhood in America, New York: Free Press.
MacKinnon, C. (1996) Only Words, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Parsons, T. (1956) Family Socializatio n a nd Int action Process, London: Routledge.
DONALD P. LEVY
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