In this freestanding bonus episode, Claire and Sebastian are joined by special guest co-host Michael Greer to discuss how masculinity is defined and challenged in non-monogamous spaces. In her 2006 article, Sheff explores the ways that polyamorous men, through their emotional expressions and management, are complicit with, subordinate to, and resistant of hegemonic codes of masculinity.
But what elements of the hegemonic masculinity complex are carried into poly spaces? Is emotional labour more egalitarian in non-mono spaces? How does the alpha male work when sexual monogamy is abandoned? Are men more 'woke' if they are poly? And what does all of this mean for the women who love them?
Poly-Hegemonic Masculinities by Elisabeth Sheff was first published December 1, 2006. This can be found on Sage Pub here. For more from this author – which is a lot – please see her personal website here.
NB: Sheff does not use the terms ‘toxic masculinity’ or ‘prototypical male’ in this article. Your hosts do use these in this episode to refer to different facets of Hegemonic Masculinity. We apologize for the confusion.
You can support Poly Pages on Instagram @polypages,. You can find your co-hosts on Instagram @claireltravers and @sebastiandaou. Our wonderful music is lovingly provided by the amazing Mint Green who can be found on bandcamp, facebook and Instagram: @mintgreenmusic. The track we use is Curtains from their EP Growth. Feel free to contact our email - polypages@gmail.com - for any questions or comments.
