Constructions of Masculinity Flashcards
Why are men and boys behavior and beliefs about gender more stereotypic than women and girls?
Greater social pressure to endorse gender stereotypes
Strongly endorsed beliefs that men are independent, self-reliant, robust, and tough
How are health-related beliefs and behaviors understood as a means of constructing or demonstrating gender?
Means of displaying hegemonic masculinity
- suppress their needs and refusal to acknowledge pain
- denial of weakness or vulnerability
- emotional and physical control
- appearance of being strong and robust
- dismissal of need for help
- ceaseless interest in sex
- display of aggressive behavior and physical dominance
Why do men reject healthy beliefs and behaviors?
To display having stronger bodies than women and because caring for health is considered ‘feminine’
-Demonstration of manhood
Why do men partake in risky behavior?
“masculinities are defined against positive health behaviors and beliefs”
What are the social implications of a man having illness?
‘can reduce a man’s status in masculine hierarchies, shift his power relations with women, and raise self-doubts about masculinity’
How do men display masculinity?
By rejecting health behaviors that are socially constructed as feminine, embracing risk and demonstrating fearlessness
How do subordinate men act in relation to their masculinity?
They demonstrate hyper-masculine behaviors that are often dangerous or self-destructive to compensate for their status and prove they are “real men”
What does it mean that masculinity is contextual?
Social signs of masculinity are associated with the specific context of one’s actions
A man or boy will enact gender and health differently in different contexts
How do institutions play a role in men’s behaviors?
They reinforce unhealthy beliefs and behaviors and undermine men’s attempts to adopt healthier habits
