When Masculinity Fails Men Analysis

521 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Things fall apart discussion about masculinity

In a comparison of the content "When Masculinity Fails Men" written by Dr. Nerdlove and the video called "why I am doing trying to be" man enought ". Both refer to male identity, it is constructed in negative terms: attending to what it is not to be a man. Not being an identity defined by itself, men have to continuously demonstrate that they are, can not relax masculinity, and that is exhausting. Therefore, homophobia and the complex are two pillars of the construction of the masculine, they are used as an electrified gate between the human being and the non-human being. For example Dr. Nerdlove states "when manhood is something you do rather than part of who you are, that means that it can be taken from you".
On the other hand Justin Baldoni

Show More
Related

  • Building Men For Others By Joe Ehrmann Summary

    651 Words  | 2 Pages

    The topics that Joe Ehrmann uses as framework for his Building Men for Others program are quite intriguing and make you really question masculinity. The first topic, rejecting false masculinity, can be interpreted a few different ways. In the book, it states: “As young boys, we’re told to be men, or to act like men” soon followed with “we’ve got all these parents say ‘be a man’ to boys that have no concept of what that means. I completely agree with the statement of Joe Ehrmann and often question the definition of ‘being a man’. Many boys and men will reject the idea of a man being anything other than being big and strong or having power.

    Read More

  • Summary Of Robert Jensen The High Cost Of Manliness

    863 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the essay, “The High Cost of Manliness,” writer Robert Jensen discusses the harmful effects of having male specific characteristics, such as masculinity. Jensen realizes that men’s actions and ways of living are judged based upon the characteristic of being manly. He argues that there is no valid reason to have characteristics associated with being male. Society has created the notion that masculinity is the characteristic that defines males as males.

    Read More

  • Shotgun Lovesongs Analysis

    2003 Words  | 5 Pages

    The concept of masculinity is considered as the qualities and characteristics of a man, typical what is appropriate to a man. In this article, A Community Psychology of Men and Masculinity: Historical and Conceptual Review, The author Eric S. Mankowski and Kenneth I. Maton, analyze four main themes: "Men as gendered beings, the privilege and damage of being a masculine man, men as a privileged group, and men’s power and subjective powerlessness. The second and fourth themes are described as

    Read More

  • Critical Analysis Of Zeilinger's The High Cost Of Manliness

    807 Words  | 2 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Becoming Members Of Society: Learning The Social Meanings Of Gender

    969 Words  | 2 Pages

    Aaron Devor’s essay “Becoming Members of Society: Learning the Social Meanings of Gender” describes how despite popular belief, gender and sex are not directly related and how social norms affect individual’s choice of gender. Devor‘s main argument is that gender is not determined by genitalia, but instead by the individual's own choices. Michael Kimmel’s essay “Masculinity as Homophobia” claims that gender equality is a positive thing for males and that social norms force men to act a certain way. Kimmel’s main argument is that men are always having to protect their masculinity in order to prevent themselves from appearing weak. Both authors present compelling arguments for both gender equality and for how social norms influence individuals’ gender choice. However, the two authors approach the same topic in different ways. Kimmel takes a more laid-back approach to the topic by using simple words and a conversational tone that relates to the casual gender sociologist. Devor writes a more sophisticated essay using complex terms and a more formal tone that relates to the serious sociologist that research gender studies.

    Read More

  • The High Cost Of Manliness Analysis

    863 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the text, The High Cost of Manliness, writer Robert Jensen discusses the harmful effects of having male specific characteristics such as masculinity. It has come to his attention that men’s actions and ways of living are judged based upon the characteristic of being manly. Jenson argues that there is no valid reasoning to have characteristics associated with males. Society has created the notion that masculinity is the characteristic that defines males as males.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Michael Kimmel's 'Masculinity As Homophobia'

    1705 Words  | 4 Pages

    Over the course of history, the definition of manhood has changed and morphed according to society’s rules. In his essay “Masculinity as Homophobia,” number four in The Matrix Reader, Michael Kimmel tackles the truth about what manhood has become and how society has challenged the meaning of homophobia. He begins with an analysis of history, and then proceeds to relate masculinity and homophobia to power, women, and violence. Manhood had not always existed; it was created through culture. Depending on the era, masculinity has a different meaning.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Michael S. Kimmel's Masculinity As Homophobia

    1118 Words  | 3 Pages

    Stop for a moment and think what if homophobia didn’t really mean what we think it means. What if it really meant the opposite? Michael S. Kimmel’s essay “Masculinity as Homophobia” explains that homophobia is actually the fear of being perceived as gay. Yes, this might come as a shock to some people, but let’s see why this actually might make sense. This essay discusses that men in order to look as manly as possible, they act in very different ways, and sometimes they even exaggerate their behaviors (103). According to Kimmel men are afraid of being humiliated by other men and they would rather jeopardize their health just to preserve their masculinity (105). The author states that society has a great impact on how one should behave in order to be perceived e real men. That’s why I deeply agree with Kimmel’s general idea that homophobia is actually the fear of being

    Read More

  • Critical Analysis Of Tony Porter's 'Man Box'

    1160 Words  | 3 Pages

    Tony Porter, author, educator and activist, makes a call to men all over, and refers to the “Man Box” and all the negative gender socialization messages they learn at a young age, while reflecting back to his personal experiences from his own life. In reference to the ‘Man Box,” he points out the unspoken rules of what makes a man, and those rules are what he calls “straight up twisted.” Some of those are: do not be “like a woman” or “like a gay man,”” you have to be heterosexual, view women as property/objects, and you cannot cry or openly express emotions with the exception of anger. This “Man Box,” does not allow a man to step out of it without risking their masculinity, and to many men, that is the worst thing you can ever do. This all

    Read More

  • Masculinity as Homophobia by Michael S. Kimmel

    1518 Words  | 4 Pages

    Kimmel, Michael S. "Masculinity as Homophobia: Fear, Shame, and Silence in the Construction of Gender Identity." Theorizing Masculinities. Ed. Harry Brod, and Michael Kaufman. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc., 1994. 119-42. SAGE knowledge. Web. Research on Men and Masculinities Series. 5 May 2014.

    Read More

  • Hegemonic Masculinity in American Society

    1499 Words  | 3 Pages

    ... E Glenn, and Nancy B Sherrod. The psychology of men and masculinity:Research status and future directions. New York: John Wiley and sons, 2001.

    Read More

  • Essay On Masculinity In America

    488 Words  | 1 Pages

    According to Kimmel, the earliest embodiments of American manhood were landowners, independent artisans, shopkeepers, and farmers. During the first decade of the nineteenth century, the industrial revolution started to influence the way, American men thought of themselves. Manhood was now defined as through the man’s economic success. This was the origin of the “Self-Made Man” ideology and the new concept of manhood that was more exciting, and potentially more rewarding for men themselves. The image of the Self-Made Man has far reaching effects on the notion of masculinity in America. Thus, the emergence of the Self-Made Man put men under pressure. As Kimmel states,

    Read More

  • Masculinity In The Workplace Essay

    773 Words  | 2 Pages

    Steven Spielberg, Bill Gates, Rosa Parks, Colin Simmons, all household names that people should be and most likely are aware of. Brenda Berkman needs to be on that list of household names. In the early 80s this one woman single-handedly took on the New York Fire Department, and became the city 's first female firefighter.

    Read More

  • Things Fall Apart Masculinity

    786 Words  | 2 Pages

    Two words, “man up”, have impacted thousands of lives forming the standard ideal for men all over the world. In Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo leads his life in fear of looking like his father, appearing weak. Just as Okonkwo changed his actions, George Orwell, the author of “Shooting an Elephant”, was influenced by those surrounding him and was afraid to look foolish. Submission of individuality has been going on since the beginning of humanity to now from all races and cultures. While all countries, cultures, and generations create a different image of the ideal man, they all experience a loss of individuality to meet society’s expectations of masculinity.

    Read More

  • Masculinity and Femininity

    673 Words  | 2 Pages

    Masculinity and femininity are two terms, which have been interpreted differently throughout history. Both the males and the females have responsibilities and duties but these duties differ based on one’s gender. Gender has played a prodigious role in the economy, politics, and the society. Everyone starts making interpretations of the strengths and weaknesses based on one’s gender. These interpretations are not always based on his or her ability but is usually based on his or her gender. Males tend to be judged as extremely strong and unfashionable in terms of appearance. Whereas, females are judged as expensive and very fashionable. Males and females both differ in their abilities and their enjoyments. Fashion, entertainment, and strength are three topics, which are used to define masculinity and femininity in the 21st century.

    Read More

More about When Masculinity Fails Men Analysis

Open Document