Masculinity, Hegemony…Fraternity?

Does Greek life perpetuate hegemonic masculinity? What is hegemonic masculinity?

            As a homosocial and performative identity, hegemonic masculinity requires men to “participate in activities that adhere to the hegemonic ideal so that other men will recognize their masculinity, thereby affirming that they are ‘real men’” (Prohaska 158). Michael Kimmel outlines four key components to this identity in Men, Masculinity, and the Rape Culture:  

“(1) No sissy stuff. Men can never do anything that even remotely suggests femininity. Manhood is a relentless repudiation and devaluation of the feminine. (2) Be a big wheel. Manhood is measured by power, wealth, and success. Whoever has the most toys when he dies, wins. (3) Be a sturdy oak. Manhood depends on emotional reserve. Dependability in a crisis requires that men not reveal their feelings. And (4) Give ’em hell. Exude an aura of manly daring and aggression. Go for it. Take risks” (Kimmel 142).

These traits can be, and frequently are, employed and exploited to gain social, economic and political power. It is a code that takes a system to be executed: men deem other men as masculine or not masculine based on how closely they can adhere to these traits.

            Hegemonic masculinity is as pervasive in our society as it is unattainable. It is impossible to embody without the boost of inherent privileges such as being a cisgender male, white, heterosexual, able-bodied, English speaking and upper class. Anyone who does not fit into these identities of normative masculinity, and most men do not, must behave in the ‘hypermasculine’ ways described above in order to over come societally-imposed and then internalized feelings of emasculation (Prohaska 159).

            One area of culture that frequently gets blamed for creating a dangerous, hypermasculine environment is Greek life, most specifically fraternities. Stereotypes of hazing, alcohol abuse, sexual harassment and wild party culture can be found everywhere in books, movies, television shows and even in stories shared among friends and family.

            It doesn’t take much investigating to discover that these stereotypes are actually quite frequently a reality. In the spring semester of 2017, the Fraternity Zeta Beta Tau at Cornell University was caught forcing its’ pledges participate in hogging; a practice in which men “try to pick up fat women for sex or make bets with their friends about who can pick up the fattest or most unattractive woman” (Prohaska 158). This domination and use of women creates the ability for the men participating to reap the benefits of appearing to be in a position of power: to be recognized as masculine.

            At Penn State University the death of a sophomore pledge due to excessive alcohol consumption and neglect caught lots of national attention and raised plenty of criticism on fraternity life. Namely, that fraternities are solely responsible for cultivating these dangerous circumstances.

            While it is impossible to deny that fraternity life creates pressure cooker scenarios for hegemonic masculinity to go awry in it is not solely Greek life that is responsible. Countless examples can be found of hegemonic masculinity emerging as violence through out any male-oriented college organization.

            It is not the individual organizations that are the source of the violence. It is the systematic reinforcement of hegemonic masculinity, manifesting itself through organizations and individuals, which is responsible. That is not to say that organizations and individuals who transgress acceptable models of behavior should not be held accountable. They most definitely should be held accountable. However, the real change will occur when the focus is shifted away from individual circumstances and is instead focused on the root of the issue: systematic hegemonic masculinity deeply rooted in acts of violence.

References:

Kimmel, Michael. “Men, Masculinity and the Rape Culture.” Transforming a Rape Culture, by   Emilie Buchwald, Milkweed Editions, 2005.

Prohaska, Ariane, and Jeannine Gailey. “Fat Women as ‘Easy Targets.’” The Fat Studies Reader,             by Esther D. Rothblum and Sondra Solovay, New York Unviersity Press, 2009, pp. 158–         165.