Semiotic analysis of forms and representations of masculinity in Netflix's domestic production series

The increased interest in women's studies brought with it a new field of research, namely, gender studies which examines the place of women and men, their roles in the social order and the hierarchy there within. Requiring a multifaceted approach to both genders, this field stands in equal distance to both men and women for inclusivity. Therefore, critical masculinity studies are an extension of this need and they seek to define masculinity, which, like gender, is a cultural construction shaped by gender roles. Thus, In this context, masculinity studies are of particular importance. Different fields such as family, state and media etc., display different representations of forms of masculinity. To observe the said representations, one needs to analyze the current media content, and to this end, Netflix stands out among other similar digital platforms with its high subscribers count. This study examines how Netflix Turkey's domestic TV series construct forms and representations of masculinity. The study employs R. W. Connell's classification of forms of masculinity and R. Barthes' semiotic analysis. The first seasons of the series Kulüp, Uysallar, Yakamoz S-245 and Terzi, which were on Netflix, constitute the sample. The result of the analysis showed that men and women were positioned on opposite poles. Male characters are the owners of power and authority in accordance with the gender order, appearing perpetrators of violence in roles such as employers, senior employees, fathers and husbands. The series in question reproduced and reinforced the gender roles, revealing that the hierarchy among male characters were based on their forms of masculinity and that men belonging to the dominant race and religion had power over both women and other men. Different characters in the series aided with the construction of hegemonic form of masculinity. The collaborative form of masculinity enables men to benefit from the gender hierarchy in the series, while subaltern and marginal forms of masculinity, defined as others, are associated with closeness to femininity, belonging to the lower economic class and being disabled. There are various representations of forms of masculinity in TV series broadcast on Netflix in Turkey. Traditional gender roles and the framework therein construct the framework of traditional roles, but they are not permanent forms. Representations of forms of masculinity are multiple and transitional. Representations of forms of masculinity were found to be prominent on Netflix, a digital platform.