Masculinities and System Costs

The Hegemonic Masculinity Trap

Society not only constructs what it means to be a woman, but also imposes a rigid model of what it means to "be a man," known as hegemonic masculinity.

This ideal prescribes that men should be the primary provider, stoic, dominant, competitive and emotionally invulnerable.

Men are expected to reject any traits associated with the feminine, such as tenderness, vulnerability or dependence, at the risk of being socially sanctioned or ridiculed by their peers. This social construction has a very high cost for men themselves.

By suppressing their emotional world ("boys don't cry"), they suffer a kind of "emotional castration" that prevents them from connecting deeply with themselves and others.

This pressure to demonstrate constant strength and economic success often leads to self-destructive behaviors, such as substance abuse, reckless driving, or neglecting to take care of one's own physical and mental health.

The mandate to always be the "winner" or the "boss" generates chronic stress levels and anxiety, especially in a changing economic world where the sole provider role is increasingly difficult to sustain.

Violence, Crisis and New Models

Hegemonic masculinity is intrinsically linked to the exercise of power and, in its extremes, to violence.

When masculine identity is based on domination, violence may be mistakenly perceived as a legitimate recourse to restore order or assert authority in the face of loss of control.

This is exacerbated by "protest masculinity," which emerges in contexts of economic marginalization where, lacking real power, some men resort to hyper-aggressiveness to validate their status.

However, change is possible and necessary. Like gender, masculinity is not static.

Today, many men are challenging these outdated scripts, recognizing that gender equality liberates them as well.

Active participation in fatherhood and home care is one of the most powerful avenues of transformation.

When a man allows himself to care for, nurture and be emotionally present, he not only improves the lives of his partner and children, but recovers his own full humanity.

Breaking away from the "macho" stereotype allows for building relationships based on cooperation and mutual respect, rather than fear and domination.

Summary

Society imposes a hegemonic masculinity that requires men to be providers, dominant and emotionally invulnerable. They must reject any feminine trait under threat of social sanction, perpetuating a rigid and competitive model.

This mandate generates high costs such as "emotional castration" and self-destructive behaviors. The constant pressure for economic success and strength causes chronic stress and disconnection with self and others.

Fortunately, masculinity is not static and can be transformed through active fatherhood and caring. Breaking these stereotypes liberates men, allowing them to build relationships based on cooperation and mutual respect.