Luke Orlando

Reference:
Pascoe, C.J.. Dude, You're a Fag: Masculinity and Sexuality in High School. University of California Press, 2007.

Pascoe opens the book with a retelling of an archetypical U.S. High school pep rally. Students cheer for a group of boys who act out a silly skit with serious implications. The students act like "nerds" who have been emasculated by thugs who stole their girlfriends. The nerds then get strong by going to the gym and working out. They reclaim their girls at the end of the skit by invading the thug's hideout and destroying furniture. Some of the assumptions about masculinity, sexuality, and heteronormativity are so deeply ingrained in American culture that one might not even immediately spot the problematic implications of this skit. Pascoe recorded observations at the renamed "River High" in California for a full year, participating in sports events, observing classes, and conducting interviews. Pascoe reveals through her exhaustive qualitative research that assumptions of masculinity define enormous parts of male youth culture. Whether boys are playing sports or getting girls, many of them do it in order to assert their place as anything but a "fag". The power of the "fag" moniker is a paradoxical one. Homosexual or effeminate men are made out to be weaker than their more masculine male counterparts, but even being accused of being a "fag" can punch through the rich bravado and defense mechanisms men have created. It can destroy a young man's reputation, self-image, and relationships. Certain acts are taboo such as drama club or music. One of the most damning conclusions she draws is that boys who feel intimidated or fearful of the "fag" label, must constantly repudiate the notion that they could be gay or effeminate. They do this mostly through insults, but also harassment and bullying of other boys in order to assert their place in the social hierarchy. They either benefit from "hegemonic masculinity", or are complicit in it. I feel that this book struck me particularly hard because I experienced much of this kind of harassment as a student in the early 2000's, and I also partook in the repudiation of the "fag" label. I played effeminate sports like tennis and golf, and I participated in drama and choir. The "fag" label followed me everywhere, and it took a lot of growth and confidence to finally understand my own self-worth and my own form of masculinity. As an educator and male authority figure in the classroom, it's both a professional and personal goal to support children of any sexuality or gender identity, and Pascoe's book helps shine a light on some of the ways I can do that.