The Impact of Societal Expecations on Men

Theodore Roosevelt once said “We need the iron qualities that go with true manhood. We need the positive virtues of resolution, of courage, of indomitable will, of power to do without shrinking the rough work that must always be done” (qtd. in Art of Manliness). Resolution, courage, will, power, and determination, these are all qualities that society has determined a “real man” must possess. They have molded what, throughout time, has been accepted as the abiding image of manhood- an image of predominance, invulnerability, and vigor. Men opted to pursue this vision of what they should be and in this journey pushed aside women.

As Clive Emsly explained in The Old Bailey Proceedings, in the eighteenth century, men were viewed as the stronger sex. They were expected to be tougher, both physically and emotionally, to have determination and will. Men were to be logical thinkers and erudite, they had to dominate their households and provide for their families. By the nineteenth century, historians argue that even though women began to experience more freedom in the workforce, they were still confined socially. Men were still expected to lead their households and be “breadwinners.” For many years, men dominated almost every aspect of society. However, in the past few decades, a movement known as feminism emerged. The feminist movement fought for women’s rights to an education and equality. Women longed for an opportunity to gain knowledge and freedom to seek adventure. In recent years, more so than ever, the feminist movement has made great advances. It has instigated a shift in gender roles and constructs forever altering how society views women and men.

Though feminists’ efforts have accomplished great things, the movement has creat...

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...on and/or mental health problems. Similarly, some men view their mental health as a weakness and choose to suppress their sickness; by doing so, worsening their condition. A great part of society still chooses to ignore the fact that men are susceptible. This could be a result of popular culture’s influence or mas media’s imposition but certainly it is a trend that has accompanied society for far too long. The world evolved and was able to change its view about women. Society was able to accept femininity in the workforce. Why are men still expected to be an impenetrable force of fortitude and valor? Society should reevaluate and seek to accept men’s weaknesses just as it accepted women’s strengths. This is not a call for pity; it is a call for transformation. Humanity needs to reassess what they previously associated with true manhood and masculinity and progress.