Critical Analysis Of Zeilinger's The High Cost Of Manliness

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Jensen, Robert. The High Cost of Manliness. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin 's, 2005. Print. Jensen believes that ideology of manliness is dangerous to both men and women. Manliness is seen as something that needs to be eradicated from society, like the black plague. Jensen is directly addressing the demands on men under the notion of manliness. Jensen lays out the key traits that are associated with the idea of manliness. Control, conquest, aggression, domination, and more. He admits that men can sometimes have traits that are predominately associated with females, such as caring and compassion, but states that the only traits that really counts in the end is the traits that over power the female like aspects. Culturally society has predetermined …show more content…

Zeilinger believes that not only women suffer from oppressive gender roles. Men often suffer just as much if not more. She seeks to expose the issues men face in todays society. Guys do have emotions, and when they come, they must face a big dilemma. They can either disconnect from their human emotions or live in a “state of contradiction” against their “manliness.” The traits that traditionally come with being a man are harmful to society. They are expected to be “cunning and take power and control instead of sharing it.” Men must be willing to point out weaker men in order to be above them. Zeilinger points out the adverse effect this mainstream mentality has. Guys are afraid to stray from the strict rules of manliness. If men go against the common standards they risk losing their identity as men. Those who choose to not follow these social norms are seen as a threat by those who are clinging to them. Gay men, for example often choose to stray from these norms. Zeilinger brings up a story of a friend who is gay and must overcome “male and female stigmas”. He often feels displaced as he does not fit in the realm of male or female roles. Zeilinger ends her article calling for change among both men and women in order to create a healthier

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