An Examination of Masculinity as the Cause of Domestic Violence in Big Little Lies

Abstract

—The recent HBO series Big Little Lies has received much popular and critical acclaim for its exploration of several socially relevant themes including domestic violence. Achieving a nuanced portrayal of domestic violence, this television series grapples with the complex issue but does not quite expose its root. This short paper analyses the concept of masculinity, which is described by Connell (2005) as the practices and behaviors evinced by men and postulates that this social construct forms the fundamental reason for domestic violence. To support this argument, the paper highlights relevant examples from the television series and primarily investigates two themes: (1) why the ideal of masculinity becomes the ground that breeds domestic violence, and (2) how the conceptualization and articulation of masculinity influence social groups, particularly women and children. The present investigation of the series validates the view that socially constructed masculine traits such as superiority and dominance trigger violent tendencies in men who desire to sustain their control over their intimate relations. The ideal of masculinity also causes men to disregard the impact of their violent actions on others close to them. As a result, women and children are often physically and mentally victimized.