Final answer:
The question examines the historical nuances of hegemonic masculinity, where men in the 50s and 60s derived social power from physical labor and being the main breadwinners. Economic and social changes, including women's entry into the workforce, began to challenge the traditional power dynamics and gender roles. Studies such as Blood and Wolfe's in 1960 highlight how access to resources, particularly through paid work, conferred power within marriages, reflecting broader social structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to hegemonic masculinity in the context of historical social structures, particularly surrounding labor and the distribution of power within the family and society. In the 1950s and 1960s, body capital was a significant component of masculine identity, emphasizing physical labor and the role of men as the primary breadwinners. This labor granted men a particular type of power and status, both in the public sphere and within the marital dynamic, reinforcing male privilege and dominance. However, cultural and economic shifts, especially during and after World War II, began to challenge traditional gender roles, causing tension and societal changes in the concepts of masculinity and family structures.
Studies like those conducted by Blood and Wolfe in 1960 indicate the link between economic contribution and power within marriages, where paid labor — predominantly occupied by men — accrued more social power than unpaid domestic work — typically performed by women. Furthermore, the emergence of women in the public sphere as capable competitors in the labor market, as well as social movements championing women's rights, began to disrupt previous conceptions of male dominance.