Discussion 6



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Hughes and the McLaren texts

The medical discourse of Masculinity by McLaren

In McLaren's text, the medical discourse of Masculinity suggests that ‘manhood' was constructed. Most of the concepts related to manhood were negative and involved biased opinions. For example, being Cad, being exhibitionist, weakening, or the sadist, etc. these all concepts narrowed down the concept of Masculinity. McLaren text is important also as it includes the analysis of some courtroom trials. This text suggests that in the times of pre- WWI era, the bachelors were considered as Melodramas. Such debate suggests that manhood in those times were a complex and intriguing topic. In the whole of McLaren's text, the courtroom melodramas and the discourses related to sexual orientations are representatives, which locates all such concepts in late Victorian culture.

Sexual boundaries of Masculinity

The sexual boundaries of masculinity upheld by the groups of modest men and those being laborers and cads are different, as mentioned in McLaren's text. The fraudulent matrimonial services offered by many different men back in late centuries were more related to their foolish hopes. In meeting such desires, wealthy wives were prey for such modest and clad oriented male. McLaren has based his findings on court proceedings and suggests that adultery fell afoul, in such libel suits. In authenticating his view, he has refereed towards an adultery case committed by a female with her brother in law. McLaren has also worked on the medicalization of male deviance. Such studies coupled with those in his early reading suggests the gender norms played in real life.

What being away in the Empire mean?

Hughes reading suggests that norms and cultures remained different especially in the cases of sexuality. In cases where a male is away from the empire, the sexualities varied for him. Hughes referred to some example which is suggestive of the facts that male fringes include acceptability to many forms of sexuality. Such a varied form of sexuality naturally leaves many areas for investigation. ‘Imperialism' remained a prominent factor in observing how the sexuality of males was different in same geographical zones. There was another reason for the varied form of sexualities of males. For example, being more militarily aggressive required sexual satisfaction.

Bibliography

ADDIN ZOTERO_BIBL {"uncited":[],"omitted":[],"custom":[]} CSL_BIBLIOGRAPHY Lancaster, Roger N., and Micaela Di Leonardo. The Gender/Sexuality Reader: Culture, History, Political Economy. Psychology Press, 1997.

McLaren, Angus. Twentieth-Century Sexuality: A History. Blackwell Oxford, 1999.