JoVE - Journal of Visualized Experiments
JoVE Visualize
Contact Us

Unpacking hegemonic masculinity behavioral patterns among vocational and technical high school students through teachers' lenses

  • 0Akdeniz University, Turkey. Electronic address: gozde.partal@antalya.edu.tr.
Acta psychologica +

|

June 12, 2025

Abstract

Hegemonic masculinity (HM) is a global phenomenon influencing adolescent identity formation, particularly in male-dominated vocational and technical education. This mixed-methods study with a sequential explanatory design investigates manifestations of HM among male students in three Turkish vocational and technical high schools (VTHSs), combining 6 hours/week of structured observations (N = 130 students; 21-behavior checklist) with semi-structured teacher interviews (n = 15). Analysis of quantitative data (κ = 0.83; inter-rater reliability) revealed verbal as the most prevalent HM behavior HM (38.1 % of cases), followed by physical aggression (37.3 %). Qualitative analysis identified underreported HM behaviors (e.g., sexual jokes, homophobic slurs, peer intimidation), with hitting as the dominant physical aggression form and extortion as the primary coercive control tactic. Triangulation revealed teachers tacitly endorsed observed HM behaviors as 'normal,' underscoring institutional complicity. This study extends literature by exposing how material practices (e.g., tool rituals) reinforce HM in non-Western VTHSs-a mechanism overlooked in prior research. Implications include HM-deconstructing teacher trainings and workshop curricula redesign to disrupt patriarchal cycles.

Related Concept Videos

Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development 01:30

25

Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...

The Stanford Prison Experiment 03:20

23.1K

The famous and controversial Stanford Prison Experiment, conducted by social psychologist Philip Zimbardo and his colleagues at Stanford University, demonstrated the power of social roles, social norms, and scripts.

Social Roles

One major social determinant of human behavior is our social role—a pattern of behavior that is expected of a person in a given setting or group (Hare, 2003). Each one of us has several social roles. You may be, at the same time, a student, a parent, an aspiring...

Horney's Sociocultural Approach 01:27

476

Karen Horney's psychoanalytic theories emphasize the potential for self-realization and the importance of addressing social and cultural, rather than biological, factors in personality development. She challenged traditional Freudian views, particularly Freud's concept of "penis envy," which she argued stemmed from cultural influences rather than inherent biological differences. Horney believed that any sense of inferiority in women was a result of societal conditioning, such as...

The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison 02:57

49.8K

According to Charles Cooley, we base our image on what we think other people see (Cooley 1902). We imagine how we must appear to others, then react to this speculation. We don certain clothes, prepare our hair in a particular manner, wear makeup, use cologne, and the like—all with the notion that our presentation of ourselves is going to affect how others perceive us. We expect a certain reaction, and, if lucky, we get the one we desire and feel good about it. But more than that, Cooley...

Cognitive Dissonance 01:38

32.5K

Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...

Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity 01:23

47

Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....