Hierarchies of Masculinity and Lad Culture on Campus: "Bad Guys", "Good Guys", and Complicit Men. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jordan, Ana; Anitha, Sundari; Jameson, Jill; Davy, Zowie
• Is Part Of: Men and masculinities. Volume 25:Number 5(2022)
• Page Start: 698
• Page End: 720
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: hegemonic masculinity -- violence -- college -- education -- Europe; Men's studies -- Periodicals; Étude de genre; Étude sur les hommes; Homme; Identité masculine; Masculinité; Perception sociale; Recherche; Rôle selon le sexe; Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); 305.3105
• DOI: 10.1177/1097184X211064321
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1097-184X

Abstract

Research on lad culture and gender-based violence (GBV) in student communities has examined hypermasculine gender performances, with little attention paid to hierarchies of masculinity. We explore lad culture by analysing qualitative, in-depth interviews with students. Our findings challenge simplistic constructions of "good guys" as allies/protectors in opposition to hypermasculinised, deviant "bad guys". We demonstrate how such binary constructions are premised upon gendered norms of men-as-protectors/women-as-weak and bolster problematic hierarchies of masculinity. We also highlight the crucial role of complicit masculinity in maintaining GBV-tolerant cultures. Our research suggests academic understandings of lad culture could benefit from a more comprehensive picture of the relationship between masculinity/ies and campus GBV. By theorising complex negotiations of hegemonic masculinity in this context, the paper also advances conceptual debates around the promise/limitations of changing, "softer" masculinities. Practice implications include rethinking how/whether prevention education can deploy "softer" masculinities whilst avoiding reinstating gender hierarchies that ultimately scaffold GBV.