Representation of New Masculinities in the Netflix TV series “Sex Education” (2019)

Abstract

[eng] This dissertation examines the representation of new masculinities in the Netflix TV series Sex Education (2019). The main concepts related to gender and performativity, defined by Judith Butler, and the concept of hegemonic masculinity outlined by Raewyn Connell, are highly relevant, as the intention is to identify and analyze how the main characters embody different masculinities. Specifically, the performance of Adam Groff's toxic masculinity, Otis Milburn's fragile masculinity and Eric Effiong's queer masculinity, will be paid special attention by exploring each scene of the series. Articles about gender studies, as well as relevant books related to sexuality and gender will be taken into consideration to analyze each character’s attitude and their portrayal of different masculinities. Therefore, this paper will be original in that those masculinities performed by the core characters have not been analyzed yet, and thus, they have not received enough scholarly attention. Consequently, the effects of culture in the development of various masculinities will be considered in relation to the different characters of the series.