Constructions of Masculinity: How Disgruntlement Among Men Mirrors Discord Among Women

This week’s articles were particularly interesting, because they focused on men, and the “death” of masculinity, and not directly on women. Having observed how boys have been “failing at school, were their behavior is increasingly seen as a problem,” and how they are “fragile and have hidden despair and despondence,” therapists are eager to pinpoint the trigger to this fall of masculinity (Kimmel, 187). However, women were not completely out of the picture. Many are quick to pinpoint feminism as the problem.“”Because of feminism,” they say, “America has been so focused on girls that we’ve forgotten about the boys.”” According to Gurian, feminist ideals that have been embedded into “our educational system forces naturally rambunctious boys to conform to a regime of obedience…we’re no longer allowing boys to be boys” (187). Did feminism actually do this? In “What are Little Boys Made of?” Kimmel says that if anything, “feminists imagine, and demand, that men (and boys) can do better. Feminism offers the possibility of an new boyhood and a new masculinity based on a passion for justice, a love of equality, and the expression of a full range of feelings” (189). Regardless of the variance in views, most will agree that feminism has made an impact on masculinity, especially in the United States. Therefore, if the feminist movement makes progress, it will benefit both men and women.

The internal conflict that is triggered by racism and images promoted by media outlets such as magazines is common to both groups of men and women. These issues are directly related to what we hope to address in our CAP. To set an example for men and clearly dispute any blame for the “death of masculinity,” it is essential for feminists to solve their internal issues as soon as possible.

Though it may not seem immediately apparent, men and women are equally affected by advertisements. In “What Men Put on Appearances,” Diane Barthel says that “one recent study showed that the typical reader spends an average of 25 to 35 minutes daily looking at magazines, during which time he or she would be exposed to 65 or 70 advertisements. About 35 of these will be seriously scanned. In addition, the average television viewer sees 95 to 100 commercials daily, seriously watching about 60 of them” (137).

The images projected in magazines and on television of men and women are especially influential. A man in the peak of success is portrayed as a “solitary male figure that appears handsomely turned out in a three-piece suit and top coat. He is the existential executive” (139). A successful woman is portrayed in a similar manner. “They wear suits and tote cell phones pagers portfolios laptops purpose and they drive very nice cars. They are skinny and their hair shines brightly in the sun…they are sleek, like horses. They have careers,” says Sarah McCarry in “Selling Out” (247-8). Obviously the majority of men and women cannot live up to these standards. Unfortunately, as Barthel points out, advertisements “often paints an image in our mind-an image of the good life, of how the product can help facilitate its achievement, and an appealing, if flattering, picture of the people we would like to be” (152). More and more women have realized that the image the majority of the models in advertisements are ridiculous, and that everyone should be embraced as they are, regardless of their race, size, or any other variable; beauty does not come in just one flavor. As more progress is made among women, the feminist movement draws closer to another success. Such a good example will hopefully help men to follow suit.

Race is obviously another big issue within both genders. It has been continually addressed by feminists, but has not gotten enough reception. Racial discrimination is a constant source of issue, as seen in Veronica Chambers’ “Betrayal Feminism.” We are still acculturated to hate out dark skin, our kinky hair, our full figures. What are you gonna do? You’re not gonna talk to your white sisters because they’re so busy being defensive, so busy assuring you that they aren’t racist that they rarely hear what you’re saying at all” (263). Very similar conflicts are visible among men. While expressing their concern for the “death of masculinity,” “cute blonde boys state at us from the books’ covers…one boy of color is sometimes featured on a cover, there’s a nary mention of them side,” says Kimmel (188). As some feminists have come to realizing, excluding races from causes won’t make things easier. If they take more initiative for equality among feminists, they will promote racial equality among men. Then, feminism will clearly have a positive impact on masculinity.







-Lavanya Gupta