`Author:` David D. Gilmore `Availability:` > [!info] > ## Summary David D. Gilmore’s _Manhood in the Making: Cultural Concepts of Masculinity_ (1990) is an anthropological study of masculinity across different cultures. Gilmore examines how societies define and enforce ideas of manhood, arguing that masculinity is not biologically [[determined]] but socially constructed and culturally specific. #### **Key Themes of the Book:** 1. **Masculinity as a Social Achievement** • Unlike biological [[Sex]], masculinity is something that must be _earned_ or _proven_ through actions, often involving risk, responsibility, and public validation. • Many cultures impose tests, initiations, or expectations that boys must meet to be considered “real men.” 1. **The “Manhood Puzzle”** • Gilmore asks why so many societies create rigid expectations for men but allow more flexibility for women. • He suggests that these expectations arise in response to economic and social pressures—particularly in societies where survival depends on men taking on protective or providing roles. 1. **Common Masculine Ideals Across Cultures** Gilmore identifies patterns across different societies that define what it means to be a man. These often include: • **Provision** – Being a provider, bringing resources to the [[Family]] or [[Community]]. • **Protection** – Defending one’s family, honour, or homeland. • **Procreation** – Demonstrating sexual virility and fathering children. 1. **Examples from Various Cultures** • He explores warrior cultures, hunter-gatherer societies, and industrialized nations to show how different environments shape ideas of masculinity. • He looks at cultures ranging from the Masai in [[Africa]] to Mediterranean honour cultures, examining how initiation rites, social pressures, and gender expectations shape manhood. 1. **Masculinity as Fragile and Competitive** • Unlike femininity, which is often seen as an inherent state, masculinity is portrayed as something that must be continuously proven. • Many cultures enforce rigid [[Boundaries]] around manhood, with failure leading to ridicule or exclusion. #### **How This Relates to Modern Conversations on Masculinity** Gilmore’s work is still relevant in discussions about gender roles, toxic masculinity, and the pressures men face. His analysis helps explain why certain ideals persist despite social [[Change]] and how expectations of masculinity adapt to different historical and economic conditions. If you’re thinking about [[Status]], identity, and societal expectations (as in your thoughts on [[Erving Goffman]] and Gilbert), Gilmore’s work adds another dimension—showing how deeply ingrained ideas of masculinity shape personal and social identity. # Ruth Mace Professor Ruth Mace, an evolutionary anthropologist, has studied **the origins and persistence of patriarchy** from an evolutionary and cultural perspective. She argues that **patriarchy is not a universal human condition** but rather an outcome of specific ecological, economic, and social pressures. Her work focuses on how male dominance over women has been reinforced by **resource control, inheritance patterns, and evolutionary competition.** #### **Tying This to David D. Gilmore’s Manhood in the Making** Both Gilmore and Mace explore how **gender roles are shaped by cultural and environmental factors rather than being biologically fixed.** However, they come at it from slightly different angles: 1. **Why Do Societies Pressure Men to “Prove” Their Masculinity?** • **Gilmore** suggests that masculinity is socially constructed and often tied to survival in harsh environments. Societies that require men to be warriors, hunters, or providers tend to develop **rigid gender roles** where manhood must be earned. • **Mace** would likely argue that these pressures also serve **a broader patriarchal system**—reinforcing male dominance by linking status, power, and control over resources to masculine success. 1. **Patriarchy as a Product of Resource Competition** • **Mace** explains patriarchy through **evolutionary competition**, showing that in societies where men control wealth, land, or inheritance, they also dominate social structures. • **Gilmore** explores how male status is often tied to **provision, protection, and procreation**, which aligns with Mace’s argument that male control over resources and reproduction is central to patriarchy. 1. **Male Honour and Social Control** • Both scholars discuss **honour cultures**, where men’s reputations depend on their ability to **protect and control women**. • **Gilmore** focuses on how this upholds _individual_ masculine identity, while **Mace** would argue that these norms reinforce _systemic_ patriarchal structures. #### **The Big Picture** • **Gilmore** explains how masculinity is constructed through cultural expectations that demand constant proof of manhood. • **Mace** takes a broader approach, looking at how these expectations fit into a patriarchal system where men maintain dominance through resource control, inheritance, and societal structures. If you’re interested in **status and societal expectations**, Mace’s work helps explain why these pressures persist across history, while Gilmore shows how they shape individual male identity. Both highlight the **costs of patriarchal structures—not just for women but also for men**, who must constantly perform masculinity under strict social pressures. ## Key Takeaways ## Quotes - ## Notes `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:` [[Books index]]