Abstract
The study aims to analyze whether the most popular TV dramas
aired in Pakistan reinforce the notions of hegemonic masculine
attitudes and mindset. These masculine attitudes which
perpetuate the notion of male superiority have been found to be
the cause of many social problems. Using the theoretical
framework of Hegemonic Masculinity developed by Connell as
the foundation, the study thus aims to investigate the extent to
which such notions are presented in dramas. The research is also
aimed at exploring whether there has been a change in the
depiction of masculinity over the years as well as judging the
influence of the various demographic variables like age, class,
education, marital status and place of residence on the
representation of masculinity. Using quantitative methodology,
the research analyzes 39 central male characters from 24 of the
most popular television dramas aired in Pakistan in the five
decades between 1968 till 2017. Findings show that although
hegemonic masculine depictions are not the norm, some
hegemonic traits such as authority and technical competence have
been found to be more common as compared to other traits such
as aggressiveness and subordination of women. Age, class,
education, marital status and place of residence have been found
to be significant influencers on the portrayal of hegemonic
masculinity. Finally, contrary to expectation the depiction of
masculinity did not follow a linear path, which indicates the need
for further study of outside factors such as politics or economy in
the form of market liberalization or government intervention.
Qurat-ul-Ain Malik. (2021) Representation of Hegemonic Masculinity in Pakistani TV Dramas, Journal of Media Studies, Volume-36, Issue-1.
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