Premium Essay

How Masculinity Is Power

Submitted By
Words 1704
Pages 7
Masculinity has a huge role when talking about people in a position of power. Society's expectations of what a man should be--has caused some men to become corrupt and abuse the power they have. Noah Brand writer for The Good Man Project stated in his article, “Masculinity as Power” that “Men in our culture are supposed to be active; they are those who act, they are defined by their actions. Masculinity supposed to be something one does, one performs; it’s not simply granted to someone for identifying as a man, but it is earned through unceasing hard work” (Brand). Men feel pressured to be masculine and our culture tends to advertise it through television and social media that masculinity can be obtained through violent or aggressive actions. …show more content…
Depending on the person power can take their behaviors and habits and enhance them. If someone who is known to be a very giving person was to obtain power it is likely that individual will become more giving. It works the same with someone who may be known to be cold-hearted and rude; if they’re given power their rudeness and cold heart will become worse. Scott Barry Kaufman a scientific director of The Imagination Institute in the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania says that “Power isn’t inherently good or evil. Yes, it’s true that power fundamentally alters perception. As Adam Galinsky and colleagues put it, “powerful people roam in a very different psychological space than those without power.” Power increases confidence, optimism, risk-taking, sensitivity to internal thoughts and feelings, goal-directed behavior and cognition, and creativity” (Kaufman). Power can have a positive effect on people. There are many compassionate teachers, politicians, humanitarians, and others who wield power, who genuinely want to make the world a better place. Power amplifies the person. It gave already existing personality dispositions and tendencies a louder voice and increases the chances that these tendencies will be given fuller expression. Though given to the wrong person that power will amplify unwanted personalities that make a person violent or very egotist. This type of person in …show more content…
While highly useful in situations where a threat of immediate harm exists, it is the most debilitating and dangerous of emotions. The Creature expresses to Frankenstein that he could lose everything if he goes against the monster’s wishes. To show him who has the power, the creature threatens him with violence. This makes Frankenstein unable to escape the monster or protect his family from the consequences of his action. He had finally lost all control of his environment, making his worst thoughts about the Creature come true. He couldn’t protect Clerval from the monster’s revenge and even guns were unable to save his fiance Elizabeth on their wedding night. When people have the power over fear, so many lives can be affected by it and in this case, Frankenstein’s life was over. “Individuals looking to take advantage of, and manipulate others, have long realized the power of fear” (Fear and Social Control). When a person is gripped by fear of a threat, real or imagined, their rational and higher thinking capacities shut down, making them easily manipulable by anyone that promises safety from the threat. This is why Frankenstein struggled when trying to find a solution to solve his problem with the

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Muscularity, Masculinity, and Adolescent Men

...Muscularity, Masculinity, and Adolescent Men The relationship between muscularity, masculinity and dominance, propagated by advertisements and mass media, gives adolescent men a negative body image discrepancy. Men’s self-esteem is often tied to this discrepancy between the ideal body image and how they view their own bodies. Adolescent men attempt to diminish the difference between the perceived ideal body and their own bodies by lifting weights and taking supplements. Unfortunately, as they build more muscle their ideal body becomes more muscular, instilling a cycle of constant low self-esteem in adolescent men. This cycle is based on problems and contradictions inherent in this traditional notion of masculinity. Muscular, powerful male bodies are assumed to be related to social power. This gives them a perceived dominance over smaller, weaker men. Men believe that they will gain more self-esteem as they become more muscular. When confidence and self-esteem are defined by body image, men will never be confident because their body never reaches what they perceive to be the ideal. White and Gillett point out the fallacy that social power is related to physical power, when in reality social power is more closely tied to economic and political structures (35). White and Gillett summarize Brod’s ideas about the two primary reasons that cause men to feel insecure about their masculinity. The first is that there is an increasing gap between the institutional and personal forms...

Words: 2974 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Situating the Entrepreneur and Gender

...considers the situatedness of the gendered entrepreneur within diverse international contexts marked by different constitutions of gender identities and networks of power, both within the context of contributions within this special issue but also more broadly within the field of gender and entrepreneurship research. Design/methodology/approach – The authors adopt a feminist perspective and analyse the different framings of identity within gender and entrepreneurship literature and their contributions to our understandings of the concepts of both power and gendered identities. Findings – The paper finds that power and identity are configured in different contexts in ways that open arenas for future analysis. Originality/value – The paper highlights the importance of considering masculinities within gender and entrepreneurship research offering support for further analyses of entrepreneurial masculinities by examining two studies that expose entrepreneurial masculinities as shifting subjectivities influenced by men’s social power, but also by interactions between men and women and broader cultural contexts and transitions. In so doing, it contributes to the research agenda in relation to gender and entrepreneurship in different contexts. Keywords Gender, Entrepreneurialism, Women entrepreneurs, Masculinities, Identity, Power, Research work, Feminism Paper type Research paper...

Words: 8127 - Pages: 33

Premium Essay

Violent Masculinity: How American Society and Media Glorify Violence in the American Youth

...Gillespie Violent Masculinity: How American Society and Media Glorify Violence in the American Youth By it’s anthropologic definition, masculinity is anything that men think and do. It is anything that men think and do to other men. And lastly, it is the idea that some men are innately, or are acknowledged to be, more macho than other men (Guttman 93). When we consider those in their childhood and adolescence stages, even though they aren’t men, they are nevertheless affected by the constructs of masculinity. In this paper, I intend to show how American Society and popular media combine to construct a masculinity norm that glorifies violence, especially among teens, adolescence, and children. Before we look at how masculinity can lead to violence in our culture, we must first unearth how masculinities are constructed, both by mainstream media and by societal norms. Perhaps the most crucial aspect of masculine and feminine studies is that gender is a perception that is socially constructed (Craig 2). Academics are cautious to separate sex—a purely biological difference—and gender—a label that is used to illustrate the essential qualities that society attributes to members of a particular sex. As a result, masculinity becomes a term that we must explain. It is widely recognized that American society and popular media are responsible for shaping masculinity, so it is only logical to that these two institutions be of primary focus when determining how men, their culture...

Words: 2324 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

The Representation of Masculinity in Men's Beauty Product

...Abstract: This study attempts to investigate the representation of masculinity in the printed advertisement of Mens Biore Double Scrub. All phenomena in the advertisement are described. To present more analytical description, the signs found in the advertisement are analyzed based on Barthes’ orders of signification. Besides that, this study also employs Kress and Van Leeuwen’s method of reading images and intertextual analysis in order to obtain more comprehensive analysis. The result of this study shows that Mens Biore Double Scrub advertisement represents two different concepts of masculinity. The first one is the traditional concept of masculinity. The second one is the new concept of masculinity offered by the advertisement. Generally, words that are used to represent both concepts of masculinity are power, confidence, aggressiveness, competition, challenge, and bravery. The connotative signified success, financial independence, and physical attractiveness are emphasized to change the concept of traditional masculinity to be in line with the company’s need. Keywords: advertisement, semiotics, masculinity Abstrak: Penelitian ini berupaya untuk menganalisa representasi maskulinitas dalam iklan cetak Mens Biore Double Scrub. Seluruh fenomena dalam iklan tersebut dideskripsikan. Untuk menyajikan deskripsi yang analitis, tanda-tanda yang ditemukan dalam iklan tersebut dianalisa berdasarkan gagasan orders of signification milik Barthes. Selain itu, penelitian ini juga menerapkan...

Words: 3643 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

Defining Masculinity Essay

...Defining Masculinity Masculinity is what it means to be a man which I think is not such a simple thing” (Grey Beyer) Being a man or a woman is the biological sex of a person, it is a descriptive biological concept. It is a physical and bodily nature but being masculine or feminine includes a mix of behaviours, characteristics and beliefs. Our society usually associates masculine traits with a boy or man and feminine traits with a girl or woman. Our cultures teaches men and women to be completely the opposite of each other. Pezzote (2008) tries to explains that when people refer what a ‘real man’ is in the everyday sense they actually combine four things together. • Biological sex ( Male and female reproductive organs) • Gender expression (How gender is expressed whether as masculine or feminine) • Gender identity ( The inner sense of being a man or woman) • Sexual orientation ( Straight or gay) When we combine these four categories it creates the perception that a biological male, masculine and hetereosexual and who identifies himself as a man is the norm to which all the other types of men should aim. Different types of masculinities Just like in societies...

Words: 591 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

What Role Does Masculinity Play In Violence

...Violence from a gender view what role does masculinity play in Ethiopia context. Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Main concepts in feminist approach 3. Hegemonic masculinity theory 4. The subculture of violence in peace and conflict 5. The perception on gender versus sex in Ethiopia 6. Gendered dynamics of violence 6.1 Masculinities and violence 6.2 Femininities and violence 7. Conclusion 8. References   1. Introduction The paper critically evaluate the theory which claims that violence has a strong gender dimension and what role does masculinity play in violence. There are feminist theories and assumptions regarding the societal construction of gender, as it is divided into two major categories...

Words: 4327 - Pages: 18

Premium Essay

Essay On Positive And Negative Freedom

...And viewing the documentary, the concept of masculinity was exemplified because you had rich white people in government that were avoiding this epidemic and were silence throughout majority of this crisis because of the fear of being someone that cares for homosexuals. And as a result of not being vocal allowed for individuals to die from AIDs. Choosing injustice is basically allowing the wrongs to continue in society. However, there are those specifically men of color that are vocal and help equity prevail in a society where scientific racism justifies the white man’s actions. The fathers in Mendez v. Westminster are a prime example that deconstructs the idea of masculinity. These men were politically inclusive in fighting for their children’s right to be educated among the white students. This is justice allowing to be perceive as something less in order to justice to be born, and equal opportunities to be granted to future...

Words: 1957 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Black Identity in Dutchman

...statement obviously shows a form of black identity, but to argue that this is the central message of the play, does not make sense. To many’s disbelief, Dutchman is not about a search for blackness and defining a socially distinct identity, it is about becoming a man in America. Masculinity defines the ideologies of black nationalists during this time and this is the character that Jones/Baraka is trying to articulate in Dutchman. In Dutchman, Lula and Clay mention the topic of manhood during the dialogue on the train. Clay questions what they are going to talk about “endlessly” and Lula replies “your manhood”. From this exchange in conversation, we can see that Baraka is trying to construct and define black “manhood”. This type of masculinity can be described as tough, assertive, uncompromising and virile in addition to separating ones self from weak and effeminized men. Baraka and the leaders of the Black Power movement associated themselves with such definitions of manhood in order to recuperate some degree of power over long time notions of subordination created by racism. In Clay’s monologue we see how he rejects and separates himself from the less masculine men. Amidst his rant of telling Lula how he is going to kill her, he also threatens to kill the “weak-faced ofays”. Clay recognizes that these “weak-faced ofays” are separate from him and by doing so he asserts a definition of...

Words: 1023 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Masculinity In Romeo And Juliet

...public masculinity through Benvolio’s challenge towards the violence, but his failure to resist demonstrates how alternative masculine identities fail. Once the initial fight concludes and Benvolio and Tybalt join the fray, Benvolio encourages the men to “[p]ut up [their] swords” (1.1.70). Here, Benvolio attempts to stop the violence, which complicates the notion that all men must publicly perform violent behavior. By publicly taking this stance, Benvolio positions himself against societal norms and expectations, which places him at risk for society to view him as less masculine. The Courtier notes how deviations and failures to achieve traditional notions of masculinity result in society viewing...

Words: 899 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Fiesta 1980

...When Ramon got home from work, “He just pushed past [his wife], held up his hand when she tried to talk to him and headed right into the shower” (Diaz, “Fiesta 1980” 23). Here the reader sees how Ramon is apathetic towards his wife. He does not regard her as an equal. The narrator says, “Mami didn’t think these excursions would cure anything, but the one time she had brought it up to Papi he had told her to shut up, what did she know about anything anyway?” (Diaz, “Fiesta 1980” 35). This reinforces the idea that he does not see her as an equal. He puts her down and does not believe she has any valid opinions. He is an assertive character that uses his masculinity to put down his wife. Ramon’s masculinity can be seen when he sees his brother in-law. Yunior says, “[Ramon] and Miguel gave each other the sort of handshakes that would have turned my fingers into Wonder bread” (Diaz, “Fiesta 1980” 31). It is as if their handshake is either a symbol of power, or strength, as if it were a broadcasting of their machismo. Ramon is asserting his masculinity. The reader sees how Ramon’s masculinity affects his wife when Yunior says, “[she] seemed anxious, in her usual dispassionate way. Her hands adjusted the buckle of her belt over and over again” (Diaz, “Fiesta 1980” 24). The mother is apprehensive unlike Ramon’s extremely firm personality. The mother is restless, which is seen as she repeatedly...

Words: 1530 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Cultural Dimensions

... | |Yundong Huang | |Texas A&M International University | |Gwennie Bee Potzka | |Due 3/15/2013 | Dimensions of Culture The five dimensions of culture are individualism, masculinity, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and long-term orientation. Individualism versus collectivism refers to how people see themselves and their relationships. Individualists say that individual interests dominate over group interests. Traits are that ties between people are loose, people only...

Words: 730 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Explain How Theories of Masculinity Have Transformed the Sociology of the Family?

...Explain how theories of masculinity have transformed the sociology of the family? Finbarr Lawton, University College Cork, Department of Sociology. Student Number: 111310236, Module title/code: Sociology of Family, SC2026, Module Coordinator: Linda Connolly Submission Date: 14/1/13 Throughout my essay I will attempt to look at different theories of masculinity and try to show how these theories have transformed the sociology of family in recent decades. I will start by looking at the sociology of family, giving a brief insight into the main theory’s and how it helps us to understand what the sociology of family is essentially about. Following on from this I will look at masculinity giving the main ideas of it and how it has changed and shifted roles in past decades. Before going into detail about masculinity and how it has changed by looking at theories of fatherhood, work, and unemployment and Hegemonic masculinity. Finally I will finish by looking at the main advantages and disadvantages of this change in masculinity in recent decades looking also at how it has changed the sociology of family. When looking at the sociology of family we see that it is an extremely broad field of study and can really be split into four main theories of which to look at the sociology of family, these being: 1. “Functionalist theory: Looks at the essential tasks provided by the family e.g. Socialisation: Regulation of sexual activity. Social placement: Material and emotional...

Words: 2781 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Norma

...distinguishes the members of one human group from another.’ Gray argues that the value systems of accountants will be derived and related to societal values, Cultural dimension of • Individualism, • Power Distance, • Uncertainty Avoidance and • Masculinity The values of accounting subculture will in turn, it is believed, impact on the development of the respective accounting systems at the national level. Therefore, at this point we can perhaps start to question whether accounting system can be developed in a “one-size-fits-all perspective – an approach which in some respects, the IASC appears to have adopted. Individualism versus Collectivism Individualism stands for a preference for a loosely knit social framework in society wherein individuals are supposed to take care of themselves and their immediate families only. Collectivism stands for a preference for a tightly knit social framework in which individuals can expect their relatives or other in-group to look after them in exchange for unquestioning loyalty. Impact of individualism – it is interesting that a great deal of economic theory is based on the notion of self-interest and the rational economic person. Chapter 4 – International Accounting Culture (Cont’d) Large versus Small Power...

Words: 1337 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Michael Sam and His Portrayal in the Media

...became the first open gay player to enter the NFL draft and eventually would be selected in the draft by the St. Louis Rams. He announced he was gay back in February and ever since them he was the main focal point of the NFL up until the Draft. The main point of this paper is to take basic ideologies such as masculinity, violence, Race, Gender, sexuality or meritocracy, and use these ideologies to analyze how the media portrays Michael Sam. Another point that will be touched upon is how the news media and sport media have different ways of portraying Michael Sam in the media. Methods: The first thing I did to conduct my research was to find 10 media sources that were related to how the media portrayed Michael Sam. In these 10 media sources I was looking for different types of ideologies and how the media used these articles to describe Michael Sam. Once I found 10 media Articles I needed to find 2 more Academic articles. It was going to be hard to find an Academic article on Michael Sam because he announced he was gay in February, so I improvised. When searching for my academic articles I searched for sources that would be associated with Michael Sam such as black masculinity, or an article on changing the way sport reporters examine gay athletes. These articles don’t necessarily talk about Michael Sam but they help give a better...

Words: 3218 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

Masculinity In The Civil Rights Movement

...Movement, as well as the Black Power Movement. These two movements, which spanned from the 1950s to the late 1970s, displayed the constant battle Black people had to fight against their local and national government. As Black women all across the country gained positions of leadership, whether they organized boycotts protesting racial discrimination or led a group of individuals fighting against police brutality, they frequently encountered sexism and racism from both white men and black men. Within the public and private sector of the Civil Rights Movements and the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, black women often had to adopt the strategy of performing...

Words: 1512 - Pages: 7