Hegemonic Masculinity in the Marginal Societal Context

The concept hegemonic masculinity developed by R.W. Connell is considered as the most commanding tool to analyse the power dynamics in gender relations. But the discursive notion of the Western model of hegemonic masculinity falls short apart to deliver extensive conceptual and practical implications in the complicated context of marginal society. Although there are obvious ideals of hegemonic masculinity in the marginal societal context, several complications are also associated with this concept. I critically examine the implications of a few cross-currents of marginality such as migration, poverty and unemployment in relation to men's situatedness and positionalities in the context of Bangladesh. As men in this marginal society are in constant negotiations with their livelihood means, the conceptual version of Western hegemonic masculinity seems unpersuasive to express men's real-world situations. It is imperative for non-Western (Global South) scholars involved in research and analysis of men and masculinities to embrace the local context and cultural realities more conspicuously in order to get rid of conceptual imperialism.