Achieving Masculine Sexuality: Young Men's Strategies for Managing Vulnerability

Abstract

Sexuality is a central site in men's struggles to become masculine. The dominant cultural ideal of heterosexual masculinity in the UK produces some men as virile, romantic, successful and powerful, but only in relation to others who are not. Western sexuality is characteristically competitive and aggressive, centring on men's desires and men's demonstration of potency. Young men embark on sexual relations with women in social situations in which they are under pressure to become victorious gladiators in the sexual arena, while avoiding the many pitfalls which can reduce them to the ignominy of being a wimp, a failed man, a sexual flop.

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