Which term can be defined as justifying males' dominant position in society and accepting it as culturally normative?

• A. Machismo
• B. Hegemonic Masculinity
• C. Toxic masculinity
• D. Patriarchy

Answer: (B)

Hegemonic masculinity captures the idea of a culturally exalted version of what it means to be a man—an ideal that places men in a dominant position and is treated as the normal standard in society. This concept explains how a particular masculine norm becomes accepted as natural, shaping expectations in family, work, and institutions, and it legitimize why men hold more power. It’s about the cultural script that supports male dominance as the default, rather than just individual attitudes.

Machismo describes aggressive pride or display of dominance in some cultures, but it isn’t the broad, society-wide justification for male dominance as a normative standard. Toxic masculinity refers to harmful behaviors encouraged by that socialization, not the justification of dominance itself. Patriarchy is the overall system of male domination, but the question targets the culturally normative ideal of masculinity that sustains that dominance, which is precisely the idea of hegemonic masculinity.