Non-Hegemonic Masculinity against Gender Violence

AbstractUsing the case of men in favour of equality, this article shows various attempts by males to construct new ways of being men. This is because an ever-increasing number of men oppose the categorical imperatives of traditional masculinity and the idea that being a man implies exercising power at any price.Through an exhaustive review of the literature on the topic, it will be shown that there is no such thing as one single form of masculinity. This means that there is no universal masculine model valid for all places, periods, social classes, ages, races and sexual orientations, but rather a heterogeneous diversity of male identities and ways of being men in human societies. It will also be investigated how the viewpoints discovered have generated a whole series de expressions of opinion speaking of different positions and approaches when dealing with or facing up to this situation of inequality. These might be grouped into optimistic views of change and those adopting a more pessimistic or negative position.Furthermore, it will be seen how men can support equality between the sexes, and an education in such gender equality is fundamental in combating gender violence. In brief, a study of masculinity re-opens questions of gender, identities and sexualities within a framework of critical awareness that aims to destabilize not merely the system, but also the world of academe