Reading the Boys of Girls

Abstract

In line with recent scholarship highlighting the dynamic nature of masculinities, this chapter focuses on the representation of men in Girls and the way that the show diverges from the dominant practice of representing men as aspiring to and/or embodying a hegemonic masculine identity. Dhaenens argues that the series deconstructs hegemonic masculinity by depicting men negotiating a variety of discourses of masculinity whilst simultaneously clashing with the mandates of hegemonic masculinity, thereby revealing the various ways that men deal with such an impossible yet legitimated identity position. As such, Girls shows that although men in contemporary US society embody some form of inclusive masculinity, they are still confronted with a hegemonic masculinity governing their gender identities.