Burdened by Masculinity: Exploring Men’s Discrimination in India Through the Lens of Hegemonic Masculinity

Gender is a psychosocial construct that reflects attitudes, feelings, and behaviors prescribed by cultural expectations for men and women. Gender discrimination has been identified as inappropriate in numerous societies. Greater attention has been paid to the discrimination in attitudes and practices that essentially disadvantage women and girls. There is limited attention and research on discrimination, whose central casualties are men and boys. It is so unrecognized that the mere mention of it may appear laughable to some. The article examines how hegemonic masculinity in India perpetuates discrimination against men by enforcing rigid gender norms, leading to emotional suppression, societal pressure, and marginalization of nonconforming masculinities. Further the study aims to challenge traditional notions of masculinity and advocate for more inclusive gender frameworks.