Why Beer and Hegemonic Masculinity Go Hand in Hand

Here are some reasons why beer and alcohol consumption go hand in hand with what it takes to be a man, and why it is important in sustaining men as the dominant gender:

1. Consuming beer allows a man to demonstrate self-control, which is a key aspect of traditional American masculinity.

2. When a man becomes intoxicated, he feels strong - he may not feel strong when he does not consume alcohol. Strength = masculinity (at least that is what the media tells us).

3. When men drink, it facilitates an environment where gender construction and validation can take place. The interactions that occur among men who are drinking serves to strengthen and reinforce the drinkers’ socially constructed conceptions of masculinity.