Identity politics create separate groups mainly based on religion, race, class and social background. These groups all fight for their dominant ideologies (concerns, agendas, projects) to be the main way of life within their societies. Although this group mentality can help get things done for themselves it can have a very negative affect on society as all groups will have different beliefs leading to discrimination against minor groups.
Culture wars discuss the conflicts between social groups and explains the fight for dominance of their beliefs and values. Certain issues that have caused major issues are abortion, homosexuality, gender, pornography, multiculturalism and racial viewpoints. An advantage to one dominant ideology in society is that there would be no conflict over decisions surrounding these issues, however, the final decision may be wrong / unfair.
The male identity is a very prevalent subject today and is highly affected by identity politics. In gender studies, hegemonic masculinity is part of R. W. Connell’s gender order theory, which recognises multiple masculinities that vary across time, culture and the individual. The male identity can be seen in two distinct ways: The identity of man as a single gender and the identity of specific groups of men in relation to the dominant male group (white, middle class, heterosexual) The best example of hegemonic masculinity is the dominance of heterosexual men and the subordination of homosexual men.
Good overview but pick one issue to discuss in more detail – male identity?