Masculinity can be understood to be both a place in gender relations which defines itself in opposition to femininity, the practices through which men (or women for that matter) can engage that place, and the effects of those practices on the choices, personality and behaviour of individuals (Connell, 2005). This account of masculinity seeks to strike a balance between personal agency and social structure. On the one hand, individuals can draw on existing ideas of ‘what it means to be a man’ in order to legitimize their actions. On the other hand, individuals are not entirely free to choose those images which please them best (Morrell, 2001). Crucially, what it means to be a man is socially constructed and always contested within society. There is no singular, innate ‘sex-role’ to which all men adhere (Hamber, 2010). It is therefore more accurate to talk of ‘masculinities’. However, to pluralize the term does not mean that all masculinities are equal or that there are as many masculinities as men (Kimmel, 2001). The analytical distinction between hegemonic masculinities and subordinate masculinities can help us capture the power inequalities which exist amongst men, as well as between men and women (Connell, 2002).

Question

Masculinity can be understood to be both a place in gender relations which defines itself in opposition to femininity, the practices through which men (or women for that matter) can engage that place, and the effects of those practices on the choices, personality and behaviour of individuals (Connell, 2005). This account of masculinity seeks to strike a balance between personal agency and social structure. On the one hand, individuals can draw on existing ideas of ‘what it means to be a man’ in order to legitimize their actions. On the other hand, individuals are not entirely free to choose those images which please them best (Morrell, 2001). Crucially, what it means to be a man is socially constructed and always contested within society. There is no singular, innate ‘sex-role’ to which all men adhere (Hamber, 2010). It is therefore more accurate to talk of ‘masculinities’. However, to pluralize the term does not mean that all masculinities are equal or that there are as many masculinities as men (Kimmel, 2001). The analytical distinction between hegemonic masculinities and subordinate masculinities can help us capture the power inequalities which exist amongst men, as well as between men and women (Connell, 2002).

A.
“However”

B.
“There is no singular”

C.
“On the one hand”

D.
“as well as”

E.
“Crucially”

Answer 1

C. "On the one hand"

E. "Crucially"

Answer 2

The paragraph can be divided into the following steps:

Step 1: Introduction of the concept of masculinity and its multiple understandings.

Step 2: Explanation of masculinity as a place in gender relations.

Step 3: Description of practices through which individuals engage with masculinity.

Step 4: Discussion of the effects of these practices on individuals' choices, personality, and behavior.

Step 5: Emphasis on the socially constructed and contested nature of masculinity.

Step 6: Introduction to the concept of multiple masculinities and the idea that they are not equal.

Step 7: Introducing the distinction between hegemonic masculinities and subordinate masculinities.

Now let's identify the steps in the paragraph:

A. "However" (Step 5)
B. "There is no singular" (Step 6)
C. "On the one hand" (Step 3)
D. "as well as" (Step 7)
E. "Crucially" (Step 5)

Answer 3

D. "as well as"

Explanation: In the given text, the phrase "as well as" is used to connect two related ideas or concepts. It is being used here to indicate that the power inequalities exist among men, and also between men and women. This phrase helps to highlight the interconnectedness of these power dynamics.