Ridicule,gender hegemony,and the disciplinary function of mainstream gender humour

ABSTRACT

This paper foregrounds the disciplinary power of ridicule, as a form or aspect of humour, vis-à-vis gender norms. While much theoretical and empirical research in gender studies recognizes the punitive function of gendered humour and/or ridicule, this function is given no theoretical significance. To resolve this tension, I integrate social psychologist Michael Billig's theory of ridicule as a universal reinforcer of the social order, along with the notion of gender order (as a particular type of social order) as outlined in masculinities theorist Raewyn Connell's gender hierarchy model. I contend that as a form of mainstream gender humour, ridicule serves as a tool for policing the gender order and creating self-regulating gendered subjects. The argument enables a rereading of mainstream gender humour, especially when it deploys ridicule to target non-hegemonic gendered subjectivities, practices, and performances. Such apparently banal humour, as I illustrate with examples of contemporary Anglo-American mainstream gender humour, speaks to and protects the fundamental elements of the gender order of the society and culture in which the humour circulates. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the implications of the main argument for pro-gender democracy research and activism.     

康奈尔和她的社会性别理论评述

康奈尔的社会性别研究由女性主义开始,集中在男性气概的研究领域。她认为女性气质和男性气概都是在社会性别秩序三重关系下建构起来的。作为当前世界上最著名的男性研究专家,她认为男性气概是在实践中建构的,它可以分为支配型、从属型、边缘型、共谋型四种类型。康奈尔还从全球化、地理差异、男性气概的危机趋势等方面对社会性别的研究做出了重要贡献。