I intend to explore the social construction of masculinity with regard to how it has been “manufactured” through socialisation and by the institutional powers of contemporary Australian media and sport. It is my contention that masculinity is undergoing a transformation to become a many-faceted social creation that reflects the pluralistic disposition of our society. My hypothesis is that contemporary agents of socialisation such as the media and sport produce diverse models of masculinity in Australia. In my micro and macro worlds I have witnessed this apparent transformation and diversification of masculinity and I am curious about what is shaping my adult male identity and by which methods such socialisation is occurring.
Consequently, I have chosen to examine how representations of Australian “masculinities” have been “manufactured” recently in both sport and the media. This is explored through, amongst other methodologies, content analysis of “metrosexuals” – media-generated models of divergent masculinity and Australian “blokes” – forms of hegemonic masculinity characterised in sport. Furthermore, by considering agents of socialisation and the expectancies they espouse regarding gender, I aim to provide a penetrating examination of the social construction of masculinity and its importance to the society and culture of Australia. |
