However, Johnson (n.d.) offers an optimistic view showing how patriarchy may be dismantled even in systems in which it appears to be pervasive, such as the military. In "Unraveling the Gender Knot," Johnson (n.d.) points out that it is a myth that gender disparity is inevitable and immutable. In fact, social systems are malleable and changeable. Change begins with "awareness and training about issues of privilege," according to Johnson (n.d., p. 240). Awareness stems from the willingness of all members of the military to recognize their role in the perpetuation of hegemony. African-American males find themselves in a peculiar position knowing that hegemony is a destructive force for the subjugated, but unwilling to surrender the privileges and powers of being at the upper rungs of the social ladder. As Hinojosa (2010) notes, there are distinct and tangible benefits to men in the military.
Power and identity are both socially constructed. The process of social construction of identity and power is reflexive; that is, the self-concept influences what other people see and perceive. What others see and perceive changes their reactions, and those reactions reflect back an image, identity, and perception of one's role and status. A cycle of power and subjugation can be seen in the way patriarchy has been the governing system in the American military.
References
Acker, J. (1992). From sex roles to gendered institutions. Contemporary Sociology 21(5). (Sep., 1992), pp. 565-569.
Fields, J. (2001). Normal queers. Symbolic Interaction 24(2): 165-187.
Hinojosa, R. (2010). Doing hegemony. The Journal of Men's Studies 18(2): 179-194.
Johnson (n.d.). Unraveling the gender knot.
Prokos, a. & Padavic, I. (2002). There oughtta be a law against bitches. Gender, Work, and Organization 9(4).
Schilt, K. (2006). Just one of the…
Researchers in Chicago found the following statistics in relation to NYC heavy users of drugs among those in detention in terms of gender, race and age. The following figures reveal what their findings were. Heavy Users in Detention All Detained Youth Gender Gender Male 82% Male 83% Female 18% Female 17% Race Race Black 64% Black 63% Hispanic 31% Hispanic 31% White 5% White 4% Other 0% Other 2% Ages Ages Source: Callahan (2001) Vera Institute of Justice Report Treatment Options Cognitive
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African-American males between the ages of 15 and 24 are at relatively higher risk of suicide according to Center for Disease control and prevention. Since 1980s the suicide rate has increased tremendously and many young seemingly successful males are committing suicide following years of suffering from chronic depression. Such cases highlight the importance of recognizing signs of depression young males but since researches and studies do not always reach parents
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