Whither critical masculinity studies? Notes on inclusive masculinity theory, postfeminism and sexual politics

O'Neill, Rachel (2015) Whither critical masculinity studies? Notes on inclusive masculinity theory, postfeminism and sexual politics. Men and Masculinities, 18 (1). pp. 100-120. ISSN 1097-184X

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Abstract

Inclusive masculinity theory has recently been proposed as a new approach to theorizing contemporary masculinities. Focusing particularly on the work of the theory’s key exponent, Eric Anderson, this article offers a critical reading of inclusive masculinity theory in relation to the context of contemporary postfeminism. Building on feminist scholarship that analyzes the emergence of a distinctive postfeminist sensibility within the academy, I consider how inclusive masculinity theory both reflects and reproduces certain logics of postfeminism. My central concern is the manner in which this scholarship deemphasizes key issues of sexual politics and promotes a discourse of optimism about men, masculinities, and social change. Against this view, I argue that critical masculinity studies must foreground the analysis of gendered power relations and posit that the interrogation of contemporary postfeminism is critical to this endeavor.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	http://journals.sagepub.com/home/jmm
Additional Information:	© 2014 the Author
Divisions:	Media and Communications
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
Date Deposited:	14 Aug 2018 11:08
Last Modified:	07 Nov 2024 08:45
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/89848

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