Gender and Power (R.W. Connell)

Gender and Power, by R.W. Connell, explores how societal roles and expectations shape masculinity and femininity, and how these influence power dynamics. Connell argues that gender is not just about individual identity but is connected to social structures that maintain inequalities. Different masculinities and femininities exist across cultures and contexts, often privileging certain groups and reinforcing hierarchies. Understanding these patterns helps explain how power is distributed and exercised within society, highlighting that gender is deeply intertwined with issues of privilege, dominance, and social control.