Subordinated masculinity is a concept within the framework of hegemonic masculinity, a theory of gender relations and the hierarchy of masculinities. This framework was significantly shaped by the work of sociologists R.W. Connell and James W. Messerschmidt, among others. Hegemonic masculinity refers to the cultural norms and practices that promote the dominant position of men and the subordinate position of women, as well as a hierarchy among men themselves.
Subordinated masculinity refers to forms of masculinity that are positioned below the hegemonic ideal in the social hierarchy. These forms of masculinity do not conform to the norms and expectations of hegemonic masculinity, which valorizes traits such as physical strength, heterosexuality, authority, and emotional stoicism. Instead, subordinated masculinities may embody traits or identities that are devalued and marginalized within the gender order, such as being homosexual, displaying emotional sensitivity, or engaging in practices and occupations that are culturally coded as feminine.
The concept of subordinated masculinity is crucial for understanding the dynamics of power and identity among men. It highlights that not all men benefit equally from the patriarchal dividend—the advantages men gain from the subordination of women—because the gender order also hierarchizes relations among men. Men who are associated with subordinated masculinity often face discrimination, marginalization, and violence, which serve to reinforce the dominance of hegemonic masculinity by stigmatizing and penalizing deviations from its norms.
Importantly, the concept also underscores the fluidity and relational nature of gender identities. Masculinities are not fixed; they are performed and can change over time and in different contexts. The relationships between different forms of masculinity (hegemonic, complicit, subordinated, and marginalized) are dynamic, with shifts in cultural, economic, and social contexts leading to changes in what is considered hegemonic or subordinated at any given time.
Understanding subordinated masculinity is essential
for addressing issues of gender inequality and for promoting more inclusive and
equitable gender relations. It challenges the binary view of gender and opens
up spaces for diverse expressions of masculinity that challenge traditional
norms.
See also: Complicit Masculinity