1. The Link Between Masculinity and social prejudice A Presentation by Jonathan Hunt

2. Introduction A few years ago I was drinking with some friends in a popular student bar when I witnessed a shocking event: a group of both friends and strangers began to jeer and threaten a gay man until he had left the bar, after which a celebration of sorts ensued.

3. Premise This event raised a significant question in my mind: why is there a link between perceived masculinity and overt social prejudice? This man had done nothing to the group, yet they found it necessary to expel him from the environment. I interviewed one of the people involved in the incident to further understand the basis of this relationship.

4. Introducing Mr X My informant, under his chosen alias ‘Mr X’, is a twenty year-old New Zealand European male. He was born and raised in a rural environment around fifteen kilometres from the nearest township. Before coming to Palmerston North as an student he was involved in multiple sporting groups and spent a fair amount of time in his local rural pub.

5. Developing the Questions I asked Mr X a variety of questions based on various aspects of identity. I wanted to gain some understanding as to why prejudice was such an important part of his identity as a New Zealand male. I also wanted to know what influences his decision to be discriminatory and how he executes this aspect of his identity, whether it is predominantly overt or covert.

6. Saving Tradition Campbell (2000) describes the social meaning of the pub as an area to “reinforce the integrated networks of a local community”. Part of reinforcing networks is to exclude outsiders or those who may threaten the stability of the community. While rejection of such things as women’s rights and race equality may alienate an individual, there is always the ability to discriminate: a way to rebel against the loss of tradition.

7. Masculinity and Hegemonies When I asked Mr X how he defines masculinity, he hesitantly replied ‘strong, big... Yeah, good at sports... Should be able to drink a lot...’. These ideals represent two of New Zealand’s hegemonic masculinities: the fit, strong rugby player, and the rural masculinity of being able to drink large amounts of alcohol outlined by Campbell (2000). That Mr X follows these ideals represents that his idea of masculinity very much fits the norm, which can be argued is one of prejudice. When I asked Mr X about his view of feminine males, he immediately mentioned a mutual friend and began to describe aspects of his identity.

8. Masculinity and Hegemonies cont. These aspects included an inability to consume substantial amounts of alcohol, a lack in physical strength, and an inability to function successfully in regards to dating. Mr X is an individual who freely accepts the constraints that traditional society created without questioning the validity of them. In modern society, what advantages do the heavy drinker have over the lightweight?

9. Belonging Mr X describes his parents, especially his father, as discriminatory. Moreover, he acknowledges members of his extended family, family friends, and members of various sporting groups as having a heavy influence on his way of thinking and acting. It can be argued that his discriminatory nature could have been adopted as a way to fit in with these various facets of his young life. Mr X also mentions that regardless of the situation, he would never insult an individual based on race, gender or sexuality out of spite (a substantial amount of alcohol and a pack mentality can almost excuse his behaviour in the student bar).

10. Belonging cont. Therefore, Mr X feels no anger or fear when he utilises discriminatory tactics: they are simply an inherited feature of identity that he uses to belong.

11. The Norm? Mr X feels wholeheartedly that prejudice and discrimination is the norm for New Zealand Europeans, and I feel the same way. While I consider myself to be anti-discrimination, I know very few people who are the same way. Regardless of the progress society has made in terms of equality, discrimination is a tradition that a lot of New Zealanders, especially those raised in rural situations, feel it is important to continue.

12. Conclusion The tradition of discriminating against others is one that serves very little purpose in the modern world, yet it is one that many New Zealanders continue proudly as a symbol of masculinity. Despite this, it appears to be a very hollow aspect of identity. It often has no bearing on the nature of the individual and rarely carries any hate or fear. It seems to be just an aspect adopted to belong, to make new friends, or to prevent being cast out from society.

13. Appendix A: Questions Asked Do you think that this sort of prejudice is the norm for New Zealand Europeans? Do you think that women should have equal opportunities as men? Who do you know uses the same sort of prejudice? How were/are you influenced to act this way? What kind of groups do you associate with at home? How do you define masculinity?

14. Appendix A cont. Conversely, how do you define a feminine male? Would you offend somebody based on race, sexuality or gender in person? Does sexuality or race have any effect when you build relationships? Do you feel you could be excluded from parts of society if you do not discriminate?