Comm 3357 22117 Definition Hypermasculinity is a psychological

Comm 3357 2/21/17

Definition • Hypermasculinity is a psychological term for the exaggeration of male stereotypical behavior, such as an emphasis on physical strength, aggression, and sexuality. This term has been used pejoratively by some scholars.

Domestic Violence • Teenage boys who played football, basketball or both were about twice as likely as other boys to have recently abused their girlfriends in a new study from California. – Reuters • Hyper masculinity in Domestic Violence cases • How it is talked about in Sports training, Military, School training • NFL Examples, Ray Rice, Kansas City Player suicide

NFL Position and DV • Evidence suggesting that professional football players in prestigious roles as scorers (i. e. , running backs, receivers) are overrepresented in incidents of violence committed against women (i. e. , domestic violence, sexual assault) as compared to players at other positions. • (Welch, 1997)

Modern Warrior Hero • Context of the 04 -05 NHL Lockout season • Promotional device used to accentuate its explicit hyper masculine warrior theme • Interviews with executives from Conductor and their construction of the Inside the Warrior campaign • Sport-media partnership create, produce, and present a mythical form of hegemonic masculinity

Hegemony • The Marxist theory of cultural hegemony, associated particularly with Antonio Gramsci, is the idea that the ruling class can manipulate the value system and mores of a society, so that their view becomes the world view (Weltanschauung) • In this context Hyper masculinity supports the ruling class view of male dominance. That view becomes the normalized view. • How some viewers and consumers read sports is through this hegemony. • Hyper masculinity = normal, femininity in males = not normal • Scott Thompson against bromance culture

Warrior Hero • The warrior hero is physically fit and powerful. He is mentally strong and unemotional. He is capable of both solitary individual pursuit of his goals and a self-denying contribution to the work of the team. He’s also a bit of a hero with a knack for picking up women. He is resolutely heterosexual. He is brave, adventurous, and prepared to take risks. He has the physical ability to conquer hostile environments, to cross unfamiliar terrain, and to lay claim to dangerous ground. • Historical context: Military movies, Action Stars

It’s Time Advertisement • The advert begins with rhythmic drumming and the Sun Tzu quote: “A clever warrior is one who not only wins, but excels at winning with ease. ” • A bare-chested male hockey player sits on a wooden bench in a dim, candle-lit “locker room, ” surrounded by his protective hockey armor, numerous hockey sticks, and historical hockey memorabilia. • Female voice over • Content of the Ad, overlap with Myth, and also Warrior imagery • 300 and Football culture

Conductor’s point of view (Ad Company) • That’s the essence of the sport. It’s a real war. • I think the pendulum has swung so far to being politically correct and safe that men are not allowed to be men anymore…. • You don’t see men represented in movies and other media that have a certain vulnerability and are ok with it. • It seems to be a mistake for a man to be vulnerable in today’s media culture.

Counter Examples • Dwyane Wade • Chandler Parsons • Russell Westbrook • Mark Anthony Neal, a professor of African and African-American Studies at Duke University. "I think it's important to get a full range of what a black man can be. Not just stern figures and disciplinarians, (but) where it's okay to be vulnerable. It speaks to the shift in our communities. "

Blog Post Examples • Kate: Cool Pose: Black Masculinity and Sports • Lauren: What Does it Mean to Be ‘a Real Man’ • Sam: Football emphasizes masculinity • Emily: Russell Westbrook Fashion • Sonia: Cheerleaders • Callum: The Other Images

Activity • Hyper Masculinity • Pick an athlete • Visually how are they showcased as hyper masculine? • Pick an athlete • Visually how are they showcased as feminine in any way?