Communicative acts which promote new masculinities. Overcoming hegemonic masculinity in the workplace and the school

Scientific literature has emphasized how the reproduction of hegemonicmasculinity has led to several social problems, such as gender violence,criminality or bullying (Connell 1987, 2005, 2006; Kimmel 2000,Messerschimdt, 1993, Bourdieu 1998). There are several findings about theinfluence of this model in cases of sexual harassment suffered by women in theworkplace(Mackinnon, 1979; Thomas & Kitzinger1997; Wise & Stanley1987) as well as hegemonic masculinity and homophobia at the school (Mac anGhaill 2007). In this article we will present evidence on both issues but also onovercoming process derived from the research project entitled Impact ofcommunicative acts on the construction of new masculinities funded by theSpanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. The research illustrates theinfluence of communicative acts on the promotion of new masculinities, farremoved from the hegemonic one, which are based on values like equality andsolidarity. We will present some data about how specific communicative actscan favour the recognition and visibility of new masculinities in the workplaceand the School, specifically in a Small and MediumsizedEnterprise, an AdultEducation centre and a Vocational School