‘I’m just with the guys and we’re having a laugh’

Exploring normative masculinity in a lap-dancing club setting, as a heteronormative space

Bibliographic Data

ID18973609
AuthorsR Colosi (0000-0002-8408-4189, University of Lincoln, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume25
Issue3
Pages222-241
Publication date2022-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSexualities (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1363-4607 • E-ISSN: 1461-7382
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1363460720957205
OpenAlexW3087853587
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited34

Drawing upon findings from an ethnographic study of lap-dancing club customers, and those generated from desk-based research which examined lap-dancing club websites and promotional materials, this article will argue that the lap-dancing club is a heteronormative space, in which male customers practice normative masculinity. In exploring normative masculinity, this article will draw upon the work of Connell (1995) , to demonstrate how different normative masculine practices are evident in the different attendance patterns of lap-dancing club customers. Overall, the findings discussed in this article make two important assertions, in support of Connell’s work. First, that masculinity is fluid, and context dependent; men can enact different versions of masculinity in different social spaces and situations. Second, normative masculine practices are pervasive, and encouraged, aided through heteronormative spaces such as lap-dancing clubs

Club · Femininity · Masculinity · Normative · Political science · Sociology · Computer Science · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · Gender Studies · Gender, Feminism, and Media · History · Law · Media, Gender, and Advertising · Psychology · Social Psychology