Doing Gender in Heavy Metal : Perceptions on Women in a Hypermasculine Subculture

This book provides a sociological examination of gender issues concerning the evolving place and role of women in the world of heavy metal. Grounded in feminist theories of gender difference and in close dialogue with relevant thematic studies from various perspectives, the study specifically analyzes how women are perceived to ‘do gender’ by members of the heavy metal community, which has traditionally been largely composed of men and is commonly known for its hypermasculine qualities. Relying on semi-structured interviews with self-identified fans of heavy metal, this work reveals that the respondents describe their music subculture as traditionally dominated by men. Yet, they also note distinct signs of the progress women have made in entering into and participating within the heavy metal culture on terms aspiring to equality with the men of their music community. Despite the changes that are perceived as legitimately positive for women, both in the world of heavy metal and in terms of women’s broader standing in society, gendered conditions driven by masculinity continue to exist for women in heavy metal. Even as women are slowly yet steadily finding their way to develop what might one day become, but as of now not yet is, a realized and acknowledged identity and culture of heavy metal feminism, patterns of masculinity continue to hamper gender equity in this area of popular culture. This book provides a sociological examination of gender issues concerning the status of women in the subculture of heavy metal. The study specifically analyzes how women are perceived to ‘do gender’ in the heavy metal community, which is known for its hypermasculine qualities. Relying on interviews with fans of heavy metal, the respondents describe their own music (sub)culture as having been dominated by men, but they also note distinct signs of the progress women have made in the heavy metal culture on terms aspiring to equality with men. Despite these changes, gendered conditions driven by masculinity continue to exist for women in heavy metal. Even as women are slowly finding their way to develop what might one day become, but as of now not yet is, a realized identity and culture of heavy metal feminism, patterns of masculinity continue to hamper gender equity in this area of popular culture. This book provides a sociological examination of gender issues concerning the evolving place and role of women in the world of heavy metal. Grounded in feminist theories of gender difference and in close dialogue with relevant thematic studies from various perspectives, the study specifically analyzes how women are perceived to ?do gender? by members of the heavy metal community, which has traditionally been largely composed of men and is commonly known for its hypermasculine qualities.00Relying on semi-structured interviews with self-identified fans of heavy metal, this work reveals that the respondents describe their music subculture as traditionally dominated by men. Yet, they also note distinct signs of the progress women have made in entering into and participating within the heavy metal culture on terms aspiring to equality with the men of their music community 01.0_pp_i_iv_Frontmatter 1 03.0_pp_vii_x_Preface_and_Acknowledgments 5 04.0_pp_1_12_Gender_and_Popular_Culture_The_Case_of_Heavy_Metal 9 05.0_pp_13_18_Doing_Gender_A_Sociological_Perspective 21 06.0_pp_19_32_Hypermasculinity_and_Heavy_Metal 27 07.0_pp_33_40_Interrogating_Heavy_Metal_Fan_Perceptions_on_Gender 41 08.0_pp_41_46_Metalhead_Music_as_Identity 49 09.0_pp_47_56_Metal_Woman_Being_and_Playing_Gender 55 10.0_pp_57_62_Degrees_of_Metal_Variation_and_Change 65 11.0_pp_63_78_Toward_Heavy_Metal_Feminism 71 12.0_pp_79_80_Appendix_Interview_Guide 87 13.0_pp_81_94_Bibliography 89 14.0_pp_95_96_Index 103 This book offers a sociological study of gender regarding women in the heavy metal subculture. Relying on interviews with fans, women have made progress in the metal world, although gendered conditions also continue to exist. Heavy metal feminism is a process in becoming, but not yet an accomplished reality.