Misogyny and masculinities: American boys and singing in an age of gender-expansiveness

Abstract

As conceptions of gender continue to evolve, many choral educators in the U.S. are questioning longstanding traditions. Conductor-teachers who lead U.S. “boychoirs” often posit that making singing masculine will help to recruit boys—relying on outdated notions of toxic masculinity. Drawing on feminist post-structuralist and trans theories, I argue for a theoretical reconceptualization in terms of how boychoirs are approached. Such a change would contribute to interrogating the discourses of U.S. “boychoirs” and “men's choirs” regarding gender-inclusive practices and can provide a blueprint for choirs wanting to become more gender-inclusive. Furthermore, such work involves reconsidering the “missing males” issue, notions of boyhood, and traditional forms of masculinity which position boys as susceptible to toxic masculinity.