Between hegemonic and subordinated masculinities

Iki šiol Lietuvoje ne itin daug dėmesio skirta vyrų ir vyriškumo problemų analizei. Lietuvoje vyrai retai minimi lyčių politikos dokumentuose. Dar mažiau analizuotos marginalinės vyriškumo formos, tokios kaip homoseksualus vyriškumas. Tačiau kalbant apie moterų problematiką, būtina kreipti dėmesį ir į vyriškumą bei maskulinizmo politiką, nes rūpestis dėl lyties, seksualumo ir kūno yra svarbiausias konstruojant nacionalinius politinius, socialinius ir ekonominius režimus. Šio straipsnio tikslas – apibūdinti ir norminį, ir subordinuotą vyriškumą Lietuvoje daugiausia dėmesio kreipiant į vyrų kūną ir seksualumą. Bus mėginama atsakyti, kokie vyriškumo modeliai dominuoja dabarties Lietuvoje ir kaip masinėje sąmonėje konstruojamas gėjų seksualumas. Kokias pasekmes skirtingos vyriškumo formos gali turėti patiems vyrams ir apskritai lyčių politikai Lietuvoje? Kokia maskulinizmo politika galėtų prisidėti prie feministinio socialinės transformacijos projekto? Straipsnyje analizuojama reprezentatyvi sociologinė apklausa apie vyrus, atlikta 2002 metais, apžvelgiami vyraujantys lietuvių žiniasklaidos diskursai seksualumo aspektu ir naudojamasi plačia postruktūralistinių lyčių bei seksualumo teorijų baze.The article examines hegemonic and subordinated forms of masculinity in contemporary Lithuania. Using the opinion survey "The Crisis of Male Roles in Lithuania" (2002) and a wide array of literature theorizing men and masculinities, it attempts to answer the following questions: how can we assess the influence of different masculinities to men themselves and gender policies in Lithuania? What kind of masculinity policy can support a feminist project of social transformation? The survey "The Crisis of Male Roles in Lithuania" allows us to conclude that both Lithuanian men and women largely support traditional norms of hegemonic masculinity. This masculinity is based on heterosexuality, economic autonomy, being able to provide for one’s family, being rational, being successful, keeping one’s emotions in check and not doing anything considered feminine. The dominant form of masculinity in Lithuania is constructed not only in relation to femininities but also in relation to subordinated and marginalized masculinities, particularly homosexual masculinities. Homosexuality is the repository of everything that is symbolically expelled from hegemonic masculinity. As the survey demonstrates, homophobia is much stronger among men than women in Lithuania. This can be explained by the fact that in order to be "real men" males have to separate themselves from both women and homosexual men. Furthermore, Lithuanian men’s negative attitude towards homosexuality can also be related to their traditional attitudes toward gender roles and family. The view that gays transgress the gender system is rather widespread among them. The author argues that the dominance of a single model of masculinity at the expense of multiple masculinities makes men more vulnerable to acts of violence against themselves and their families. The article advocates self-awareness and critical reflection about gender identities among men and male groups that could help dismantle hegemonic masculinity and dispel the notion that there is only one way to be a "real man". Promoting models of masculinity along less sexist, homophobic and misogynist lines could benefit both women and me