Manhood in Contradiction

This article examines the contradictory nature of the straight edge movement, a maledominated youth movement struggling to create a more progressive masculinity. By comparing straight edge to other men’s movements, it is shown how the movement proposes a more progressive vision of manhood yet, in many ways, still reflects hegemonic constructions of masculinity. The article also discusses the multiple expressions of masculinity that emerge within a single men’s movement, and it highlights the problems of reconstructing manhood in a masculine context. Finally, it is suggested that such work will aid an understanding of the barriers profeminist men’s movements face in recreating masculinity.