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Performative masculinity: it's not what you think
Orion Taraban
Overview
This video distinguishes between the common, but incorrect, understanding of 'performative masculinity' and its actual definition. The speaker argues that men adopting stereotypically feminine behaviors to appeal to women is actually 'performative femininity.' True performative masculinity, the speaker contends, involves individuals (primarily women, in the speaker's view) adopting stereotypically masculine traits for social signaling or perceived benefits, rather than from an authentic place. The speaker uses an example of a female activist to illustrate how these performances of protectiveness, dutifulness, and aggressiveness often fail to achieve their intended effects, unlike when genuinely embodied.
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Chapters
- The term 'performative masculinity' is often misused online.
- The common usage describes men adopting stereotypically feminine behaviors (e.g., drinking matcha, reading feminist literature) to signal safety and non-threat to women.
- This behavior is accurately termed 'performative femininity' because it involves performing traits associated with the opposite gender.
- Giving pronouns is also presented as an example of performative femininity.
Understanding the correct definition of performative masculinity is crucial for accurately analyzing social behaviors and avoiding misinterpretations of gender expression.
Men adopting stereotypically feminine behaviors like drinking matcha lattes or reading feminist philosophy to appear 'safe' to women.
- Performative masculinity occurs when someone adopts stereotypically masculine behaviors for external benefits, not from an authentic inner drive.
- This phenomenon is more prevalent in women today than 'performative femininity' is in men.
- It involves appropriating masculine traits for optics and social signaling.
- Authentic masculine behaviors are often disappearing from the social landscape because they are disparaged when men display them.
Recognizing true performative masculinity helps to identify inauthentic displays of strength and competence, and understand why genuine masculine traits are becoming less common.
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- An example is given of a middle-aged white woman patrolling a neighborhood with a whistle to warn about immigration enforcement vehicles.
- Her actions displayed performative protectiveness, dutifulness, and aggressiveness.
- The 'protectiveness' failed to make anyone feel safer.
- The 'dutifulness' was unlikely to be sustained long-term, thus not inspiring trust.
- The 'aggressiveness' did not intimidate immigration agents or deter them from their duties.
This example demonstrates how performative masculinity, when lacking authentic grounding, fails to achieve its intended social or psychological effects.
A woman patrolling her neighborhood with a whistle to warn about immigration enforcement, displaying performative protectiveness, dutifulness, and aggressiveness.
- The core issue is mistaking performance for reality.
- Performative femininity is when men signal virtue to women for romantic/sexual access ('trying to smash').
- Performative masculinity is when women signal virtue for social approval ('virtue signaling').
- Performance itself isn't bad; it's problematic when it's mistaken for authenticity or when actors lose themselves in their roles.
This distinction is vital for navigating social interactions authentically and avoiding manipulation or misjudgment based on superficial displays.
Women signaling commitment or bravery through performative masculinity to gain social approval, similar to how men might signal safety through performative femininity to gain romantic interest.
Key takeaways
- The common understanding of 'performative masculinity' is a misnomer; it's actually 'performative femininity'.
- True performative masculinity involves adopting stereotypically masculine traits for external validation or benefit, not from an authentic inner drive.
- Performative displays, whether masculine or feminine, often fail to achieve their intended impact because they lack genuine substance.
- Women are increasingly engaging in performative masculinity to gain social approval.
- Men are often criticized for displaying authentic masculine traits, leading to their decline in the social sphere.
- It is important to differentiate between genuine behavior and performative displays to avoid being misled.
- Performance can enrich life, but becomes problematic when it is mistaken for reality.
Key terms
Performative masculinityPerformative femininityStereotypically masculine behaviorsStereotypically feminine behaviorsFemale gazeOpticsVirtue signalingAuthentic desireSocial signalingSexual marketplace
Test your understanding
- What is the difference between the commonly understood meaning of 'performative masculinity' and the speaker's definition?
- How does the speaker define 'performative femininity' and why is it distinct from 'performative masculinity'?
- What are the three key masculine traits exemplified in the activist's behavior, and why does the speaker argue they were performative?
- Why does the speaker believe that authentic masculine behaviors are becoming less common in society?
- What is the potential harm in mistaking performance for reality in social interactions?