Toxic Masculinity In Shark Tank

It is irrefutable that media alters societal perceptions. As an audience, we are constantly being exposed to messages that influence us in minute and massive ways. With ever evolving technology, the exposure to concepts will only increase as the availability of these messages increases. The clips collected in the assignment demonstrate different aspects of masculinity from television shows: stereotypical masculinity in Parks and Recreation, Toxic Masculinity in Jersey Shore, and the fragility of masculinity in Shark Tank.

When trying to pinpoint examples of stereotypical masculinity, I almost immediately thought of Ron Swanson from the Television show Parks and Recreation. Swanson, played by well-known manly-man Nick Offerman, is a character

that is stereotypical Masculinity embodied. He has a penchant for eating meats, loves wood working, hunting, and whiskey. He’s a man that loves simplicity, is always prepared for a disaster, and rarely shows emotions. Ron’s masculinity was reinforced at a young age, and in one episode he states that he began his first job at a sheet metal factory at nine years old. In The Many Emotions of Ron Swanson the video exemplify Ron’s masculinity is a compilation of moments from the show. Ron can generally be described as either apathetic, angry or violent, and this is shown in the video. Most of the clips of Ron involve him going to extraneous lengths to avoid being sentimental and reacting to situations with violent outbursts (Parks and Recreation, 2013). My love for Ron’s character was initially confusing because I usually find difficulty connecting to overly masculine men. In this instance, I realize that Ron is a caricature of masculinity, rather than an example for other men to follow. Many men can relate to enjoying fixing and crafting things, but most would not be able to make a full canoe by themselves. Many men may enjoy breakfast food, but they would not go to a restaurant and request all their eggs and bacon. Ron is relatable character that was created to mock extreme masculinity.
One of my guiltiest pleasures is watching Jersey Shore.

Even though the show is incredibly problematic, it makes me feel better about my own issues. There are many examples of gender roles, social issues, and toxic masculinity which are prevalent throughout the entirety of the show. The men of Jersey Shore are interesting examples of hegemonic masculinity because they have invented their own meaning of masculinity while simultaneously upholding misogynistic practices. These men place a lot of value in their appearance, and often exhibit behavior that is associated with femininity. They get eyebrow waxes, work on their tans, and regularly use hair and skin products. They have altered their perception of masculinity by adding in these feminine elements, and yet reinforce traditional gender roles and expectations. While their portrayal of masculinity is slightly altered they still exhibit aspects of toxic masculinity, such as overt aggression and violence. The clip I chose to demonstrate stereotypical masculinity is from an episode where two roommates, Ron and Mike, get in an argument that quickly becomes violent. Ron feels that Mike was intentionally trying to create problems in his romantic relationship, and Mike initially tried to verbally defend himself. As Ron began throwing things, Mike became loud and erratic. This event culminated in a physical fight, but Mike was only injured because he headbutted a wall. Mike later admitted that he recognized Ron was stronger, and

would probably win in an argument. To counteract this, he became louder and more violent to scare Ron. He admitted that he thought attacking the wall would make him seem tougher, with a goal of startling Ron (SwagEntertainment1 2012). Instead of trying to deescalate the argument and discuss their differences, both men tried to intimidate the other until it became physical. This primitive display perfectly represents how masculinity and pride can be a barrier in communication and can lead to violence.
Shark Tank is a television show where inventors pitch business concepts to a panel of investors in hopes of making a business deal that is beneficial to both parties.

In one episode, inventors pitched the product Dude Wipes, which are just disposable wipes for men. The clip that I found related to this is an update video where the inventors state that since appearing on Shark Tank they have earned over 3 million dollars (Benzyfi, 2017). One of the most ridiculous aspects of consumerism is gendered products. While people have freedom to buy products that appeal to them, the concept of remarketing, instead of inventing or improving, a product to make it seem more masculine speaks of the problem Men have with avoiding products with any connection to femininity. The performance of masculinity is so fragile that the façade could be ruined if men bought or used anything unless it is specifically marketed towards men. Using masculine nicknames like “Dude”, and colors associated with masculinity is enough to make some individuals purchase a

product.
While there are issues with misrepresentation and poor societal message within the media, it is important to also highlight the rare ways it makes nontraditional gender performance more available. Much of these representations rely on stereotypes, and this is particularly true about gender stereotypes. The stereotypical masculinity in Parks and Recreation, the Toxic Masculinity in Jersey Shore, and the fragility of masculinity in Shark Tank are all examples of masculinity in the media. Masculinity constantly evolves to fit the time, but problematic masculinity will not improve until the media stops relying on these predictable stereotypes.