Men and Masculinity - Essay Example

? Men and Masculinity Men and Masculinity In as much as there is a lot of relevance in the relationship between men and masculinity, it is imperative to evaluate the issue in the context of gender balance. Masculinity may be described to be the aspect associated with how much benefit a well-built individual becomes to the society. It may not necessarily refer to male individuals only but also the female individuals (Lang, 2002). In most cases, masculinity is referred to with direction channeled towards men. The pivotal idea is the usefulness derived from masculinity compared to negative implications brought along with it. In this paper, there will be a critical analysis of the concept of masculinity by considering its causes, and a major influence in respect to gender balance. The paper tries to argue that although the concept of masculinity involves theoretical insights, it is developed to enable us to comprehend how men view themselves as gendered species. In particular, it will offer a precise account in basis on men social psychological reproduction of Indemnities. The first parts of the research will analyze studies on masculinity in respect to the norm of feminism. It will into consideration the ideas and opinions of early writers on this topic. The research will also analyze the perception developed and expressed in association with masculinity. In the first stage of the paper, there will be discussion on the power and gains in social heights with respect to a positive perception of masculinity. The application of masculinity should not always be considered as a vice but in consideration of its relevance in the society. There is also the evaluation of the responsibilities that are associated with pronounced masculinity. In the analysis of masculinity, the paper will connect the implication of masculinity in the younger generation and how it manifests itself later in life. To express this manifestation, it will analyze a character in the movie Iron Man hence explaining why mature masculinity is a process rather than an event. The relevance in the relation between men and masculinity should be evaluated in the context of gender balance. Discussion In understanding, the concept of masculinity in men there should be the definition of its cause and effects. First, the body of a man is biologically built to be more muscular than the body of a woman, which gives reason in the creation of the concept of masculinity. According to Blow (2012) evaluation and argues in his study, boys who cannot measure up to prescriptions that are dominant in masculinity are likely to be punished by his peers in quest of stripping him his mantle of masculinity. This well explains the existence of masculinity at the early age of a male child. The physical distinction gives way to labeling men as masculine. The audio podcast of Brett (2010), The Art of Manliness argues that good qualities are considered the advantages of the present masculinity attribution to men and the poor qualities are the disadvantages. Hence providing additional ideas on the concept of masculinity in terms of its implications on men. Furthermore, the audio podcast claims that the qualities of men can later on be incorporated to influence the society and other people. The idea of men being masculine alone does not bring any problem in the concept of masculinity but the result of this idea, which leads to stereotyping of men. The stereotyping of men as masculine in physical appearance and behavioral conduct later becomes an expectation of the society. The media give an image to men as muscular, emotionally and mentally tough, hard drinker, and other characteristics associated with strength and power (McCarry, 2007). As a result, the public has accepted this representation to the standard of masculinity. Another research done by Caroline (2009) connects the relevance of masculinity in relation to gender, economic, social, and political development of the society. She further argues that masculinity cannot be neglected in terms of the general implication to the building of the society hence the need to analyze masculinity both in the negative and positive context. Given the scenario, not only women that are affected but also men suffer from this condition. For instance, in the same way that women struggle to achieve slim body, men also aim to obtain the ideal body set by the media. These physical features exhibited by the media are bodies of models that are difficult to acquire for someone who is not a model by profession. Most men struggle to achieve it and this leads to drug use in the form of steroids, eating disorder, muscle dysmorphia and body dysmorphic disorder, and depression (Kaufman, 2003). One of the main reasons that the study on men and masculinity started was that the perception of the society on masculinity has brought men several problems. Men seem to experience discrimination and social isolation from the society in the case that they do not meet the expectations of the society. It became evident in Newman (2012) when his son experienced discrimination in his new school when he exhibited actions that are attributed to women like wearing a skirt. It is a clear manifestation of the negative implication of the concept of masculinity in the present society. This dilemma is also a product of both the media and culture as men are expected to exhibit “manly” characteristics and actions. These problems and other effects of the concept of masculinity certainly affect the society and the different aspects of the nation as a whole. In referring to competent masculinity, the point expressed is the brevity associated with masculinity. The application of masculinity in helping needful situations come in as a relevant reference to the society hence may be termed to be competent. There is a power that comes along with masculinity and so is the perception developed on the individual with stereotypical thoughts. This may be used to gain social heights among other benefits that may be enjoyed in the society through positive perception. Hence, an intelligent use of masculinity for the benefit of the community rather than for selfish interest may lead to the enjoyment of power in the society. According to Rutherford (2004), the issue of men and masculinity has been attributed to different fields as health service, violence prevention, and therapy. To deal with the negative implications of the masculinity the society first need to solve the problems in these fields. When one sex is dominant or sole, the dominance in it should trigger scrutiny. This matters when, either the dominant sex benefits in occupying high paid jobs, or when harmed in the case of men occupying more prison cells. Responsibility is an inevitable fact and every action in life is played despite insensitivity to other people’s plights especially the women. The reality includes a reflection of past occurrences and facing the consequences of experiences whether positive or negative. This marks the point of transformation, which may involve shying away from well-known individuals later. Just as implied in the movie, Iron Man (2008). In this movie, it becomes apparent that mature masculinity is more of a process than an event. It comes naturally in life and positive aspect of its use becomes beneficial than otherwise. The contribution of social constructivist in respect to men and masculinity sees the norm in perspective of the processes. The social cultural constructs shape the social expectations around men and their desired behavior in a given context (Hendrixson, 2004). Hence, the understanding of masculinities in its potential way to grow and still overcome the widespread tendency to naturalize male privilege. The theory states that masculinity is informed by biological determinism in respect to gender essentialism. Adoption of the male perception suggests that there is need to change the scope of unequal gender relations while addressing potential harmful identities in gender. In making the process develop into a full-blown masculine women play a role in reproducing expectations for men and gender norms (Lindisfarne, 1994). This means that impact and the growth of the masculine ideologies are not just about men but involves women as well. Tony stark, in the movie Iron Man demonstrates a masculine ideal based on an American dream of being wealthy and leading a highly pleasurable life adored by everyone. The lifestyle is however short lived as he soon realizes the challenges that come along with it. Emptiness soon follows as he battles to survive in the lifestyle of choice that he made. In the process, he is forced to forge an identity and begins to address all negative characters that have been eating away his life. Through recognizing the hurdles of positive thinking, dynamism leads to feminist self-critique and knowledge, which is critical in fomenting real change (Kaplan, 1994). The focus further unravels the nature of male dominance and the shortfalls of not achieving the desired male characteristics. Frequently, attributes associated with men, including strength, sacrifice, leadership, and heroism create double binds for those who lack these attributes (Connell, & Messerschmidt2005). The consequences are felt in terms of disrespect and criticism as expressed by Tony. It is worth noting that responsibility comes in close alignment with competent masculinity, lack of it may be demeaning. This may be learnt from the film based on the main character who is a victim of his own experience. He soon learns of the best way to address his masculinity issues, which could turn his life from bad to good. This is a typical quest for competent masculinity, which would be beneficial to him and those who know him. Conclusion In conclusion, there is a lot of relevance in the relation between men and masculinity, but it is also imperative in evaluating gender context in terms of woman strengths in the society. Masculinities positive perception can be used to understand clearly how male dominance and privileges are constructed. With the knowledge and application of positive perception of this norm, there is reinforcement and strengthening the commitment of anti essentialism in feminist theory. When the society exposes multiplicities and complexities of masculinities, they lead towards understanding multiple and instructional forms of discrimination. It is analogous to notice that positions and issues of all women are not the same hence sometimes getting women subordinating women (Greig, Kimmel & Lang, 2000). The other advantage of masculinity is that it reminds the society to be attentive to different patterns of inequality and hence interpreting them in references to its impact on the other gender. References Blow, C. M. (2012). Real Men and Pink Suits. New York Times Brett, R. (2010). The Art of Manliness Podcast Episode #32: Is There Anything Good About Men with Dr. Roy Baumeister (Part I). The Masculine Heart. Podcast Retrieved from http://masculineheart.blogspot.com/2010/09/art-of-manliness-podcast-episode-32-is.html Caroline, S. (2009). Men and Masculinity. United Kingdom, Oxford: Oxfam GB. Connell, R.W., Messerschmitt J. (2005). Hegemonic Masculinity: Rethinking the Concept, Gender & Society, 19:829-859. Greig, A., Kimmel, M. & Lang, J. (2000). Men, Masculinities & Development: Broadening our work towards gender equality, Gender in Development Monograph Series, 10 Hendrixson, A. (2004). Angry Young Men, Veiled Young Women: Constructing a New Population Threat, Corner House Briefing, 34. Kaplan, R. D. (1994). The Coming Anarchy, Atlantic Monthly (February) (44-76). Kaufman, M. (2003). The AIM Framework: Addressing and Involving Men and Boys to Promote Gender Equality and End Gender Discrimination and Violence, paper commissioned by UNICEF. NY: UNICEF Lang, J. (2002). Gender Is Everyone’s Business: Programming with Men to Achieve Gender Equality, Oxfam Workshop Report. Lindisfarne, N. (1994). Variant masculinities, variant virginities Rethinking ‘honour and shame’. Cornwell, A., and Lindisfarne, N. (Eds.), Dislocating Masculinity (pp. 82-96). New York, NY: Routledge. McCarry, M. (2007). Masculinity Studies and Male Violence: Critique or Collusion, Women's Studies International Forum, 30, (5):404-415 Newman, R. J. (2012).Dad Wears a Skirt so His Son Will Feel Strong Enough To Do So As Well. [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.amptoons.com/blog/2012/09/01/dad-wears-a-skirt-so-his-son-will-feel-strong-enough-to-do-so-as-well/ Rutherford, L. (2004). Negotiating masculinities: 'Yolngu Boy', Metro, no. 140, Autumn, pp. 62-69. The Role of Men and Boys in Achieving Gender Equality. (October 7, 2003). Retrieved November 27, 2012, from United Nations website, http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/egm/men-boys2003/Connell-bp.pdf Read More