Double Standard Of Masculinity In Gender Role...

Masculinity is a topic that has been debated in our society extensively, through research as well as in informal settings. Many wonder what it means to be masculine, and if we can really assign a definition to such a subjective term. After all, shouldnt ones own perception be the determinant of what constitutes masculinity? This self-construction would be the ideal in our society, but unfortunately, it represents a false belief. Masculinity has certain characteristics assigned to it by our culture. In this paper I will explore the many facets of masculinity and demonstrate how certain beliefs pertaining to it are perpetuated in our society. I will also uncover many of the contradictions between societys assigned definition of†¦show more content†¦The violence boys witness on television further legitimates this belief. Katz explains that advertising imagery equates masculinity with violence. For boys this means aggression is instrumental in that it enables them to establish their masculinity (Katz 1995). Lee Bowker researched the influence advertisements have on youth. He asserts that toy advertisements featuring only boys depict aggressive behavior. Strangely, the aggressive behavior generally results in positive consequences more often than negative. Bowker also looked at commercials with boys that contain references to domination. The results of all the commercials indicate that 68.6% of the commercials positioned toward boys contain incidents of verbal and physical aggression. There was no crossamp;#64979;gender display of aggressive behavior. Interestingly, not one single-sex commercial featuring girls shows any act of aggression (Bowker 1998). This research helps explain that it is not just the reinforcement of close caretakers to the child that legitimate masculinity but society as a whole (using the television as a symbol of society and its desires).Another example of how this can be reinforced even by women who may or may not be trying to promulgate such a belief is with an experience I had growing up:When I would get a cut or a bruise, I would muster up all the strength I had to not cry. I feared that if IShow MoreRelatedDouble Standard of Masculinity in Gender Role Socialization2574 Words   |  11 PagesMasculinity is a topic that has been debated in our society extensively, through research as well as in informal settings. Many wonder what it means to be masculine, and if we can really assign a definition to such a subjective term. After all, shouldnt ones own perception be the determinant of what constitutes masculinity? This self-construction would be the ideal in our society, but unfortunately, it represents a false belief. Masculinity has certain characteristics assigned to it by our cultureRead MoreThe Characteristics Of A Boy And A Girl1536 Words   |  7 Pageswhere did all of this stem from? Gender socialization has had a major impact on the American society since its colonization. History has seen massive changes in the behavioral and social expectations of both men and women. Historical events such as World War two as well as Industrialization are some of the major driving forces that helped sculpt our modern day gender roles as well as their negative impacts on our society. During the era of industrialization women’s roles in society became very specificRead More`` Eat Like A Man, Man : The Advertisement For Their New Texas Double Whopper Burger1473 Words   |  6 Pagesupon witnessing the â€Å"I Am Man† promotional advertisement for their new Texas Double Whopper burger. 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Many feminists hold that the categories of gender (that is â€Å"feminine and masculine), unlike the categoriesRead MoreStatement of the Problem Female and Male Gender2969 Words   |  12 PagesIntroduction Statement of the problem Female and male gender Roles in todays society reflect on more than just what others think about the man and female role. This paper will also show how and why people think this way. At the time of conception male and female babies are influenced to act a certain way by the actions of the people around them the most. A babys sex distinction is developed prior to birth. Gender differences are a matter of power, therefore, Masculine is typically a social priority