Social Representations of Masculinity from a Group of Male Aggressors of Women

Abstract

This research article shows the social representations of hegemonic masculinity as an element that contributes to the reproduction and perpetuation of the patriarchal system, through the exercise of male power in the public and private spheres, which leads to the naturalization of violence against feminized bodies. The objective of this research is to analyze the social representations of masculinity that a group of heterosexual men who have aggressed women have. The methodological design used was qualitative and followed the phenomenological-hermeneutical method. The information collection technique was the in-depth interview, which was conducted with four men and one woman, as a triangulation criterion. The description of the information was done through narrative analysis. The results achieved show that the social representations expressed by the participants regarding masculinity are part of a hegemonic masculinity. Three main results were found that account for the influence of the patriarchal structure in the configuration of this masculinity: legitimation of sexual violence against women, hegemonic ideal of masculinity and femininity and, finally, the construction of power around hegemonic masculinity.

Keywords

• social representations
• hegemonic masculinity
• male aggressors
• masculinities
• patriarchy
• femininity