Mutual Destruction of Masculinity and Femininity

Authors: Amir Shirkhanbeik and Gulnara Z. Karimova

Postmodernism, as a philosophical and cultural movement, has had a significant impact on our understanding of gender and identity. One central argument states that rather than generating a polyphony of voices, it is leading to a monolithic structure, ultimately challenging and potentially collapsing traditional gender identities.

We witness a trend towards the obliteration of the binary concept of masculinity and femininity. In this evolving narrative, the once clear-cut distinctions between the two poles of gender are being blurred.

Even though we may still see muscular voices, they can often be seen as caricatures of traditional masculine archetypes like rebels or heroes. These caricatures, exemplified by figures like Salt Bay and Andrew Tate, can be perceived as exaggerated expressions of traditional male roles, much like how Kardashian can be viewed as a caricature of the feminine archetype of a lover.

The deconstruction of the notion of gender, as advocated by postmodernism, will eventually lead to the collapse of traditional gender identities. Following Hegel’s theory, such deconstruction may give rise to conservative, hierarchical forces in response. Hegel’s dialectical process implies that as old structures dissolve, new ones emerge. In the context of gender, this might manifest as efforts to reaffirm traditional gender roles as a response to the perceived chaos of deconstruction. These efforts can be compared to the way ancient civilisations often sought to restore order and hierarchy in the face of societal upheaval.