Masculinity and Hegemony

The stereotype on masculinity strongly enforces hegemonic behavior among men. If they have power over the people and things around them, then they are more important and therefore more masculine. Somewhere in time the idea was created that in order to be masculine you have to dominate everything in proximity; including women. Along with hegemony comes the idea that men will be "men" as long as they are above women. Therefore, in history there have been many instances where men have dragged women down in social order, political stature, or economic capability just to keep power among men. However, now that we've begun the 21st century we are past this hegemonic obsession. Boys are now learning that there is so much more to being a "man" than domination and control. It's about staying true to what you believe in.