The (Mis)use of Ideal Masculinity in Armed Conflicts

This paper explores the concept of ideal masculinity in the context of armed conflicts and analyses its relationship with actual forms of masculinity. The paper aims to present the content of the socioculturally shaped ideal of masculinity during wartime and explain how such an ideal impacts the lives of men affected by armed conflicts. Through a review of relevant literature from feminist theories of international security and masculinity studies, the paper highlights the discrepancy between ideals and reality, drawing attention to the negative consequences stemming from that gap. Namely, unable to meet the demands of ideal masculinity, men face frustration and pressure to become more violent than they would be, in order to conform to societal expectations. In conclusion, the paper emphasises the need for further research into this domain and the deconstruction of militarised masculinity with an ultimate aim to establish more inclusive perceptions of masculinity so that the majority of men can benefit from such a perception change.