Masculinity article research…

Where do these ideas come from? Men and gender socialization

(http://www.wgac.colostate.edu/men-and-masculinities)

As socially constructed identities, boys and men learn “appropriate” gender roles in accordance to the masculine expectations of their given society. This means that from very early on boys get messages on what it means to be a boy. To illustrate how pervasive the “gendering” process is, we can take a look at how toys are marketed differently for boys and girls. The graphics below are word clouds that display the words used to market toys to girls and boys respectively. The bigger the text, the more frequently it appears in toy marketing material.

BOYS TOYS

GIRLS TOYS

From an early age, these messages work to shape individuals into boys or girls. In addition to external sources, boys and men learn conventional gender roles from family and friends. In most homes, boys are told that “boys don’t cry” and to “man up”. These colloquialisms are ways of relaying the message that as a member of a certain gender, there are rigid expectations. If these expectations aren’t fulfilled then one will be subject to ridicule and even violence.

Another way to explain masculine socialization is through what is known as the “man box” (below). Inside the box is a list of socially valued roles and expectations that constitute conventional masculinity, and the words outside of the box are used to confine boys and men into a narrowly constructed definition of manhood.

In this way, boys and men are punished (often by other boys and men) in a particularly gendered manner. For example, if boys and men do not meet the expectations of being a man they are often called homophobic or feminizing slurs. These degradations work to police the boundaries of what is acceptable appearance and behavior for boys and men, which is one explanation as to why gender roles in our society are still rigidly defined and vigilantly enforced.

Hegemonic Masculinity

There are an infinite number of ways to be a man which exist within a hierarchy of manhood. The most dominant form of manhood is called “hegemonic masculinity” which is characterized by several key tenants: 

1.) distance oneself from femininity 

2.) restrict emotions

3.) be tough and aggressive (avoid vulnerability)

4.) be seen as highly sexual with women 

5.) prove one’s heterosexuality via homophobia.