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Two of those characters who were searching for the meaning of masculinity were Frank Stark and his son Jim Stark. On many occasions, Jim struggles with how to be masculine, like when he is faced with The Kids group leader Buzz who challenges him to a drag race. Jim feels the need to prove himself to the group and everyone he meets that he is a man with his rebellious actions. Jim looks to his father for help on how to actually show the world that he is a man, but his father cannot come up with an answer for Jim. Frank cannot produce an acceptable model of masculinity for Jim to follow because he himself is unsure of how to appear masculine part of which is from his overbearing wife who believes she is always right. (lecture/film, 11/12)…
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The last of the four injunctions is the one that has stuck the most throughout Pollack’s publishing. The ‘No Sissy Stuff’ component of the Boy Code, is “the literal gender straitjacket” (William Pollock, 24) that says that in order to be masculine you cannot posses any fluffy feelings that could be seen as feminine.…
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Dave Berry is a hilarious and captivating writer. In his article he breaks down three characteristics of what a guy, not man, is. First and foremost, he explains how guys like neat stuff, as he puts it. For example, purchasing over qualified computers for miniscule assignments. While not using the computer for its upmost potential. Or how the space shuttle is still around for guy’s entertainment. Basically, the shuttle breaks down, they fix it, and get to send it back up to space all over again. For the hundredth time. He continues to explain the next and most well-known characteristic of men. One I should have guessed, guys like a really pointless challenge. For instance trying to see who could go the fastest…
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Manhood in western societies is pre-programmed, pre-packaged and forced-fed to boys from birth to adulthood. Historically the puriest example of a real man was the military standard. Military manliness dictates that a man must be strong, both physically and mentally, a man must be unfeeling and must be loyal to their fellow commrades. Men must show a certain level of respect for women but never acknowledge them as equal.…
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Barry explains that ‘man’ sounds like a very serious and important word when it “primarily consists of possessing a set of minor and frequently unreliable organs”. There is another way in looking at males than just “aggressive, macho dominators”. For example, Dave Barry states that guys like neat stuff. Neat stuff includes “mechanical and unnecessarily complex”. The example he uses is his computer. Barry has the latest model and exaggerates that it is “capable of supervising the entire U.S. air-defense apparatus while processing the tax return of every resident in Ohio”. Yet, soon after a new computer model is released, he will upgrade to this newer version just because he is a guy and that is the guy thing to do.…
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Masculinity has many different definitions depending on culture. An article by Glenn Penny stated, “the term masculine often turns out to be a rather empty fluid adjective- devoid of moral or emotional meaning” (Penny, 222). Masculinity is viewed in a sexual manner in western United States culture, as well as the soldiers going to fight at war was a sign of masculinity.…
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In the modern society, men are defined by their actions and personality they reveal to the public. In “Boy,” the coach says to the boy “We do not show any emotions.” The social concept demands men to hide their feelings, because over the past generations this is the dogmatic characteristic has corresponded with males. In “Bros Before Hos”: The Guy Code” the author states “The Boy Code leaves boys disconnected from a wide range of emotions and prohibited from sharing those feelings with others” (Kimmel 548). In essence, men should not provide any emotions, because they will be going against societies expectations. Furthermore, this could lead to emotional illnesses. In “Bros Before Hos”: The Guy Code” by Kimmel, the author states “boys are more prone to depression, suicidal behavior, and various other forms of out-of-control behavior” (548). In other words, not showing emotions causes boys from a young age to develop illnesses. Additionally, crying is a form of emotion that men are prohibited to…
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Males used to have a clearly defined role as ‘hunter / provider’ but in modern society are not sure of their status or how they should behave. In Fight Club the men the narrator meets at the “Remaining Men Together” support group are a representation of cultural loss of masculinity. Bob is a former fitness guru who has, literally, lost his testicles and in their place developed “bitch-tits”. The narrator feels emasculated because of his consumer driven…
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Masculinity and the ideals of manhood are not universal; place and time are factors of masculinity and hegemonic masculinity is no different. According to R.W Connell hegemonic masculinity is the one form of masculinity in society that has the most authority and influence on boys and men of that society. This form of masculinity sits at the top of the masculinity hierarchy and as a result those who attempt conform to hegemonic masculinity not only gain an advantage and privilege over other forms manhood but also over both genders (Connell, 171). However, because hegemonic masculinity is an unattainable ideal, men often go to extremes to confirm their masculinity to themselves and other men in their lives. Using the articles "’Talk About Strenuous…
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That man usually possess qualities such as being rational, reasonable, and less emotional. Masculinity was referred to all the time, walter wanted to be the Man of the house. he was exhausted, of having to work as a driver. “Mama I don't need no nagging me today” he was worn out of being told what to do, that he shouldn’t be the one to be told what to do but that he would be the one to tell people what to do. “We one group of men tied to a race of women with small minds” (Walter). Women aren't as smart, that's the reason why women are discriminated against, and women refused to listen. He believes that men are more intelligent than women, that women are closed minded and can’t understand like they are ignorant. “Don’t understand about building their men up and making ‘em feel like they somebody. Like they can do something” (Walter). Walter wants the women in his life to make him feel like a man. Being manly means having the freedom to act according to one's…
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I felt that Dave Barry’s “Guys vs. Men” was a very humorous essay, but in some ways, it was also informative. Whether or not a person (especially a woman) wants to admit it, this essay’s content was pretty correct. Although I do not feel that guys are quite as simple as Barry tried to make them out to be (for instance, “And think how much happier women would be if, instead of endlessly fretting about what the males in their lives are thinking, they could relax, secure in the knowledge that the correct answer is: very little,” p. 381), I do feel that for the most part, guys are more relaxed and carefree than women, as this essay points out. Furthermore, I agree that there are two types of males: men and guys. However, I think that every male possesses about half and half. For instance, when a male sees another male hitting on his girlfriend, he might want to fight the offensive male. At this point, he would fall into the “man” category. However, only moments before the fight he might have been sitting at a bar with all of his friends seeing who could burp the most letters in the alphabet. Burping males certainly fall into the “guy” category. Even though I am a female, I do see myself possessing some of the “guy” characteristics, like wanting “neat stuff.” I am the type of person who will buy anything that looks impressive. My purchases range from a wireless cordless phone system that is far too sophisticated (and expensive) for my lifestyle to the perfect pancake maker (as seen on TV!). Yet I do not feel that I am a guy, so I guess there is a female counterpart to the guy. I suppose we could call it being a chick. However, I am not sure exactly what the characteristics and requirements for being a chick are. I do know, though, that if you ever witness a large group of females together, you can observe some of these less womanly characteristics. Dave Barry did an excellent job of making all people, male and female, question, observe, and understand both their serious…
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Many individuals may believe that gender stereotypes and typical norms amongst the sexes are long gone, but these traditional views for both men and women, according to society, are still quite prevalent today. This human experience, that men and women both have specific roles to play in society, has been around since the beginning of time and will most likely continue for decades and centuries to come. Men are viewed, by societies standards, as being strong, dominant (at least more dominant than a women), leaders, and they should always restrain from showing weakness. Ronald Levant, a physiologist, explains in his article Men and Masculinity that men are prone to be raised as their fathers were,…
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Anything that connects to a woman (even though a woman birthed you into the world), like housework, staying at home to watch the kids, or even being emotional, is put down. Men who don’t fit into the traditional role of masculinity are ignored and are seen as weak. On top of that, men are constantly told to gain respect. If he loses respect in anything, then he’s not manly because that’s what a man is supposed to be all about. But what is respect? According to Mariam-Webster respect is “a feeling or understanding that someone or something is important, serious, etc., and should be treated in an appropriate way.”…
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True women and real men are only the image that children have been brought up to become as they grow. Little boys aren’t always hardwired to like only dinosaurs and trains. This is just the same as how girls don’t necessarily choose to play with dolls. Even colors such as blue and pink are made to be associated for specific genders at an early age. The concept is just a grouping of stereotypical male and female characteristics that don’t necessarily always apply to individuals in either gender. Examples include such statements as that men must not show emotion and that men believe the most important thing is sex. Masculinity is also thought to be displayed by a man who is able to provide for his family by holding a job and excelling at a profession. However, a hate of having to commit and to always act tough in all situations isn‘t in all male genes. Sometimes men in many cases actually greatly value a woman’s loyalty. A female can be independent and successful without a husband or any other men in her life. They take up jobs and strive…
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Kimmel explains that “homophobia—the fear that people might misperceive you as gay—is the animating fear of American guys’ masculinity.” (50) These young boys obsess over coming across as a “man’s man” and fear that failure to conform will lead them to lose their friends and become ostracized. These young men are forced to suppress their emotions and wear a “mask of masculinity” to disguise their feelings (53). Masculinity is something that these young men need to prove on a daily basis, and frequently, they take enormous risks to demonstrate their manliness. They engage in binge drinking, hazing, hazardous driving, and hang out in dangerous places. “Safety is emasculating,” and the pressures to engage in these dangerous behaviors are becoming higher and higher (51).…
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