Mainstream masculine norms include being dominant, in control, and getting what you want from women - this does demonstrably drive and uphold rape culture. The men most likely to be held responsible for rape are those farther down the dominance hierarchy strata, such as brown-skinned men, or poor ones. Economically secure white men usually are the ones who suffer few consequences.
We know that rape is a function of patriarchy because in more egalitarian cultures where women are respected, there is little to no rape and it's viewed as unmanly.
“Rape may be a way of proving one’s manhood, an important concern for adolescent males.” In rape cultures, dominance and control over women become aspects of achieving and experiencing masculinity, and rape, while not condoned, becomes part of the culture at large.
