Describing a perspective, ideology, or system of thought that prioritizes, centers, or favors the experiences, values, and perspectives of men, often at the expense or exclusion of women and other gender identities. It typically involves the assumption that the male experience is the norm or standard by which all others are judged. This can manifest in various societal structures, cultural norms, and academic fields. It often results in the marginalization or misrepresentation of female and non-binary experiences, shaping power dynamics and influencing the allocation of resources and opportunities. The term critiques systems that inherently benefit men, and often unintentionally disadvantages women.
Masculocentric meaning with examples
- The historical narrative often presents a masculocentric view of events, primarily focusing on male leaders, military strategies, and political figures, neglecting the significant roles women played. For instance, in studies of the Renaissance, female patrons of the arts are often given less attention in proportion to their impact on it.
- Many early psychological theories were rooted in a masculocentric framework, basing their models of 'normal' development on male experiences, which in turn, ignored or pathologized aspects of female psychology. Freud, for example, was criticized for his views on women and their role in society, which were deemed as biased.
- A masculocentric bias can be seen in certain medical research that, historically, prioritized male subjects, leading to gaps in the understanding of diseases as they manifest in women. The symptoms, progression, and treatment of many conditions affecting women are often either under-researched or insufficiently understood as a result.
- The use of the generic masculine pronouns like 'he' in language perpetuates a masculocentric bias, implying that men are the default human and that women are a deviation or a sub-category. This linguistic norm subtly reinforces a male-centered view of the world and limits recognition of the other genders.