Exam #1; Section 4: Masculinity Flashcards
Good man vs. Real Man
Men are expected to have the characteristics of: Loved family Strong Provider Caring Gentle Good father Loyal friend Hard worker Respectful Leader Brave Hairy Athletic Assertive Muscular Takes charge Stoic Womanizer/good with ladies
Who has experienced a shift in gender roles?
A huge shift in women’s lives in the last 50 years, not in men’s
What is the definition of masculinty?
Masculinity as social construction
Who is Michael Kimmel?
Sociologist
What is Michael Kimmel’s theory?
4 basic rules/pillars of masculinity
What are the 4 rules / Pillars of Masculinity?
1) No sissy stuff
2) Be a big wheel
3) Be a sturdy oak
4) Give ‘em hell
What is important to note about the 4 rules and pillars?
Rules/pillars of masculinity are not in and of themselves bad.
What is problematic is when these rules/pillars are:
Rigidly enforced
At the exclusion of other characteristics
Who is judged and why?
All American men are judged against these ideals–transcends race/ethnicity, class
Only a small fraction of men believe they are successful at achieving these ideals
Can led to confusion and pain
Produces contradictory phenomenon
What is Masculinity as a homosocial experience?
Masculinity is largely a homosocial experience
Masculinity is performed for and judged by other men
Men seek other men’s approval
What are masculinity’s effects on men?
1) Suffer in silence with mental health problems
2) Shorter life spans
3) Fewer close relationships
4) Health risks related to body image
Who created the cultural dynamics of masculinity? What are they?
Michael Kimmel
1) Culture of entitlement
2) Culture of silence
3) Culture of protection
What is violent masculinity?
1) Violent behavior is typically gendered male
2) This does not mean that all men are violent but that violent behavior is considered masculine
3) So many of our culture’s images/depictions of masculinity revolve around violence
4) We have normalized/glamorized violence
Who is Elliot Rodger?
Student at UCSB: killed 6, injured 14
Grew up in Hollywood culture
Recorded video before he went on killing spree
Speaks to many of the issues we talked about regarding masculinity
What does Ann Hornaday say about Elliot Rodger?
- Rodger suffered mental illness
- Rodger’s delusions were inflated, if not created, by the entertainment industry he grew up in.
- As Rodger bemoaned his life of “loneliness, rejection and unfulfilled desire” and arrogantly announced that he would now prove his own status as “the true alpha male,”
- Movies may not reflect reality, but they powerfully condition what we desire, expect and feel we deserve from it. If our cinematic grammar is one of violence, sexual conquest and macho swagger, culture and men in society will follow.
What are examples of healthy masculinity?
1) Spiderman, wants to hang out with his friend on a school trip, has a crush on a girl, is awkward, sweet, not an alpha male.
2) Stuber: buddy comedy but talk about their feelings
3) Example of Harry Styles wearing a tress
