Masculinity definitely plays a key role in the perpetuation of sexism within most cultures today. Dr. David D. Gilmore wrote a book called, “Manhood in the Making: Cultural Conceptions of Masculinity”, where he explores perceptions of what it means to be masculine and the effects it has across gender lines and sexism. Essentially, he talks about how the drive to prove oneself as a male in terms of masculinity and manhood can play a large role in reinforcing the maintenance of male dominance that is so ingrained in almost every culture today. Gilmore (1990) said that, “True manhood in other cultures frequently shows an inner insecurity that needs dramatic proof. Its vindication if doubtful, resting on rigid codes of decisive action in many fears or life: as husband, father, lover, provider, warrior. A restricted status, there are always men who fail the test. These are the negative examples, the effete men, the men-who-are-no-men, held up scornfully to inspire conformity to the glorious ideal”(17). It seems to be a long-standing cultural and historical idea that a man must be effective, strong, and assertive or else he may considered lacking in terms of masculinity. Gilmore provides lee way into the ways in which this can become detrimental to the ideas of the female sex being that women are stereotypically seen as everything a male is not, or opposite in terms of general conceptions of sexism. Through perceptions of masculinity, women are idealized to be passive, weak, and dependent etc. Masculinity, thus acts as a way of reinforcing gender stereotypes and restraining females in their success within the social realm.
In Nancy Chodorw’s “The Reproduction of Mothering: Psychoanalysis and the Sociology of Gender”, she talks about the implications motherhood has on sexism tied with the societal pressure put on a female to become a mother. Chodorow (1978) believes that, “Women in our society are primarily defined as wives and mothers, thus in particularistic relation to someone else, whereas men are defined primarily in universalistic occupational terms… being a mother and wife are increasingly centered on emotional and psychological functions—women’s work is “emotion work”(178). Especially in the U.S., we see a large portion of women being the primary caretakers in relation to domesticity. Chodorow argues that the social pressure to be a mother acts as a barrier for women in relation to gender equality.
I could also tie Chodorow’s explanation for views of masculinity in with Gilmore’s thoughts. Both emphasize that the desire for men to be masculine leads to prejudicial reinforcement and perpetuates sexist standards. Chodorow (1978) said, “Given that masculinity is so elusive, it becomes important for masculine identity that certain social activities are defined as masculine and superior, and that women are believed unable to do many of the things defined socially important”(182). Indeed, both authors stress the importance of masculine qualities linking the maintenance of sexism. Chodorow equally applies this stress to femininity and motherhood by comparing gender roles at their core.
Both of these books take a deep look into the ways masculinity can be most influential in reinforcing sexist ideals. Being that it is inequality along gender lines, sexism stands as one of the most prominent and unique forms of prejudice. It’s accepted universally throughout history and modern society.