India's Culture Of Toxic Masculinity

Violent masculinity is oppressive, exacerbates social conflict and is incompatible with democracy

Three images of social violence have haunted me recently. The first was that of a minor girl in her teens, beaten mercilessly by a village elder. Her crime? She dared elope with her young lover. Second, after the acquittal of all six men accused of lynching Pehlu Khan, TV channels replayed the visuals in which a crowd of men participated gleefully in the atrocity. The third was of three Dalits being thrashed over allegations of theft. The barbarity of this violence can hardly escape anyone, but equally striking is the absence of any woman among the perpetrators. This theatre of cruelty has an all-male cast.

Of course, women perpetrate violence too: they can be aggressive and brutal, particularly to other women. But undoubtedly, the culture that stokes such violence smacks of machismo. Though not solely responsible for such violence, this culture plays a central role in its recurrence, justification, and glorification.

Scholars have drawn attention to the fact that ideas of masculinity are tied less to the body and more to socio-cultural ideologies and practices. Manhood is not naturally given but is a goal to be achieved. To be born a boy is a privilege but one that can be lost if one is not properly initiated into masculine practices. Besides, male adults must maintain this privilege by regular performance. They must demonstrate that they are real men, manly, rather than womanly men. And what better way of doing so than by good, solid walloping? If one ceases to perform these masculine acts or gives up beliefs that constitute them, one slips out of manhood and becomes effeminate.

Model of manhood