Masculinity in American Politics

How elements of masculinity manifest themselves in all aspects of American political life

While hardly a new phenomenon, masculinity-which includes elements of toughness, independence, and leadership, among others-roared onto the national political stage in America with the 2016 candidacy, election, and presidency of Donald Trump. Research into masculinity dates back over a century, but little attention has been paid to the specific role of masculinity in politics beyond the conventional wisdom that it, rather than femininity, is the dominant force. This lack of research has led to a lack of knowledge on how exactly, and how much, masculinity shapes political structures, attitudes and behaviors, from children’s socialization to our masculine political world, to how a new generation views this traditional dominance.

In Masculinity in American Politics, Monika L. McDermott and Dan Cassino bring together a prestigious group of interdisciplinary scholars to explore these questions and their implications for different aspects of political life. Topics include the challenge of defining and measuring masculinity, how perceptions of gender and masculinity can shape campaign messaging strategies and public opinion, and other discussions of political identity, including age, race, and ethnicity.

With contributions from Melissa Deckman, Jill S. Greenlee, Amanda Bittner, and other high-profile scholars, this comprehensive volume provides insight into masculinity and its high-stakes political manifestations, particularly as Gen Z fights to redefine the contours of their own gender and sexuality. Drawing upon insights from politics, sociology, psychology, and the broader social sciences, Masculinity in American Politics pushes the field to look ＂beyond the binary＂ and illuminate this brave, new world of political conflict and possibility.

Monika L. McDermott (Editor)
Monika L. McDermott is Professor of Political Science and Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies at Fordham University. She is the author of Masculinity, Femininity, and American Political Behavior and the co-author of Americans, Congress, and Democratic Responsiveness: Public Evaluations of Congress and Electoral Consequences.

Dan Cassino (Editor)
Dan Cassino is Professor of Government and Politics at Farleigh Dickinson University. He is the author of many books, including Fox News and American Politics: How One Channel Shapes American Politics and Society.