The Construction of Male Masculinity on Campuses

I have chosen to do my blog post this week on the construction of male masculinity solely based on the fact that it is the foundation for my paper. I have done some research on this topic and would like some insight on the topic from my fellow classmates. With much of my research there has been ample indication that the construction of the dominant hegemonic form of male masculinity is largely due to to the  large amount of fear many men have about being judged and not accepted by their male peers. Where these fears “often lead to a certain homosocial element within any heterosexual encounter: men often will use their sexual conquests as a form of currency to gain status among other men” (Kimmel, pg 147). 

With the majority of these ‘conquests’ taking place around university campuses and during the time when male bonding is at its peak (involvement in clubs, sports, fraternities and the like) we can see why there is an increased pressure to acknowledge the importance of sexual assault on campuses and university communities. Based on the “deeply rooted fear of other men” (Kimmel, 145), many males engage in homosocial bonding such as binge drinking and high risk taking behaviours that “enable them [men]  to establish their reputations with other men and to mark off the distinctions between themselves and women” (Razack, pg 108).This is where the sexualization of female bodies comes into play.  By targeting women and coercing sexual interests that lead to sexual assault, they are confirming their hegemonic masculinity to their male peers, at the same time rejecting any notion of homosexuality.

It has been suggested that sexual safety policies should be put in place on campuses  to reduce the the incidences of sexual assault that is brought on by these instances. Such polices include education and responsibility of safe sex practices. Is this a considerable solution?   If any, what other types of policies should also be put in place by the University communities to decrease the social implications generated by the construction of male masculinity? Why or why not? 

References

Buchwald, E., Fletcher, P. R., & Roth, M. (2005). Transforming a rape culture / edited by Emilie Buchwald, Pamela Fletcher, and Martha Roth. Minneapolis, Minn. : Milkweed Editions, 2005. 

Razack. S. (2000). Gendered racial violence and spatialized justice: The murder of Pamela George. Canadian Journal of Law and Society. Vol 15(2); pp 91-130.