ABSTRACT

This chapter shows that masculinity is a socially constructed display of men's gender; and that it has varied greatly in just the last few decades. It provokes a critical reflection of the theory that has dominated masculinities studies for over a quarter century. The chapter also shows a healthy respect for the theory/concept of hegemonic masculinity, as it transformed peoples understanding of the multiplicity of masculinities, and their consequences nearly three decades ago. It describes the use of athleticism and homophobic and sexist discourse in order to stratify men in a king-of-the-hill-style competition for the upper rungs of a masculine hierarchy. The chapter argues that usefulness of the hegemonic masculinity is now germane only to cultures, or organizational cultures, that retain high degrees of homohysteria, the way America did, overall, in the 1980s, and the way it may still in certain Western locales today. It presents a case study of Indiana high-school basketball player Blake's story.