Masculinity In The Late Twentieth Century

The progressive nature of the population did not solely reside among the female population but among the men of the twentieth century as well. The generation of men in the later twentieth century began to examine the role of men inn domestic matters and their desire to preserve their masculine domain atop the social hierarchy. The men that had been reared during the late nineteenth century and beginning of the twentieth were developed among the mentality that a man’s job was to be the head of the household, take care of the family, find a respectable wife. This mentality persisted throughout the years until the progressive generation of the late twentieth century, with this generation more concerned with exploring their own sexuality and abilities

and less preoccupied with asserting masculinity and dominating the workforce. The student councils of universities reflected this modern desire to engage in more relaxed social gatherings, focusing on informalities and personal enjoyment, thus reflecting the more relaxed gender guidelines perceived by this generation. The men at these universities tended to have different regulations than females, with much more freedom, even being allotted late entry to enjoy the cafes and other various establishments in town. This complete freedom of men could be an explanation for why this generation didn’t focus on establishing their masculinity and dominant hierarchy, they instead had the ability to explore their own passions and desires.
Where some of the male population was granted autonomy, this did not apply to the entire population, by looking at literature completed during the late twentieth century we can see that this progressive male gender was still attempting to be explored.

The plot typically perceived in a series of novels completed during the late twentieth century, regard the males in the novel as the victim, a new role for the gender, typically having them then find a companion that was either a woman or a man with feminine qualities. The men in these novels also appear to be struggling with their abilities and perception to society, not assuming their macho masculinity but instead being docile, passive members of society. These men attempt to learn masculine abilities from either a father, or authoritative figure resembling masculine qualities, sometimes even a masculine female. These men tend to be bullied by their mentor to assume their masculinity and assert aggression and dominance. The common theme among these novels remains that the male feels lost among society, as though he does not belong even though society has set a place for him. This lost feeling can be explained as the evolving definition of male abilities and characteristics, one that explores the boundaries between men and women making the two more flexible and

interchangeable.
The defined gender expectations of young men and women during the late twentieth century rivaled the youth populations eagerness to evolve toward a progressive definition of gender and equality of the sexes. The authoritative figures and elder generations regulated these moving gender boundaries socially, and persuasively enforcing their own traditional values. The development of late twentieth century youth was immersed in traditional values and morals, upholding the common divide between men and women, acknowledging their distinct duties and responsibilities among society. Adult behavior and interaction enforced these traditional ideals with women typically seen at stores, or at home, and typically engaging in some form of domestic or caregiver work, and men commonly perceived at the workforce and in social clubs engaging in macho masculine behavior. This development was common of the past, but among the global transitions occurring, such as both Wold Wars, and the rise of industrialism, the generation maintained a progressive view as well, rivaling that of their parents, and their upbringing. Women were often pressured socially to conform to expected ladylike behavior, such as engaging in domestic practices, and maintaining a reputable, docile, passive demeanor. Although women respected protocols meant to make women conform, such as curfews, they still maintained their own beliefs and progressive attitudes towards events in which they could express their interest. Social gatherings such as beauty pageants and university student councils reveal the ideology of the population at this time, revealing that women often engaged in social activism and politics frequently, using their time to discuss the current issues and inequalities that need be addressed. Men were equally expected to conform just as women, even more so in some instances, but under different terms. Men were expected to assume their bold masculinity, exercising their dominance in society and commonly encourage to engage like such at all public gatherings, but just as women rebelled in some ways. Men of this late twentieth century generation had now begun to engage in more philosophical debates, leisure time and physical activity, deviating from the strong hierarchy the generations before them had set. These forms of population rebellion display the unstoppable movement of the masses during the late twentieth century, re-evaluating the definitions of men and women.