Premium Essay

Masculinity In American Culture Essay

Submitted By
Words 1743
Pages 7
Chivalrous knights. Athenian olympic athletes crowned in laurels. Composed samurai. Confederate soldiers with glints of stone-cold malice in their eyes. Professional football players built like massive siege walls. World War II soldiers supported by shining, unmoving medals of honor. From a young age, the idea that boys and men must be creatures of warrior-like stoicism and Herculean athleticness is reinforced, at the cost of emotional depth and academic success. One can find the culprits of this embedded in America’s archetypes of masculine ‘normality’, the school system’s dependence on sport-programs, and culture’s reverence of military honor.
The stereotypes of American heroes and men are heavily entrenched in the toxicity of masculinity, …show more content…
There is no escaping this stereotype, as it is embedded in every household across both coasts, boasting ideology so heavily ingrained in American culture that it is inseparable from daily values that society lives by. For instance, the idea that the husband in a traditional heterosexual relationship is the “breadwinner” was, until very recently, commonplace and even perniciously seen as fact (Zuo). The workplace was seen as an exclusively masculine environment, competitive and challenging. Careers were so all-consuming that husbands developed a “dependency on women to cook their meals [and] wash their clothes” (Ehrlich 572), and thus those tasks became delegated to women and degraded in the eyes of society as effeminate when completed by a man. This is not to mention the specific tasks in child-raising that are expected to be taken upon by men. Men, though ‘free’--or rather, barred from--traditional household tasks such a cooking and cleaning, are expected to take a heavy part in playing with children, especially their sons; a recent study found that fathers who were not born into American society felt pressured to participate in sports with their sons by other members of their community (Hodge et

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Negotiation: Theory and Practice

...EMPL 3270: NEGOTIATION – THEORY & PRACTICE RESEARCH ESSAY Q2: According to Fells (2012, p.207) “As a negotiation unfolds, it is easy to attribute any behaviour, particularly behaviour that is different to your own, to culture and so ignore the many similarities”. Consider this statement with reference to contemporary research on cross-cultural negotiation and use examples to illustrate your analysis Introduction: Former President and charismatic leader of the United States John F. Kennedy once stated that, “We cannot negotiate with people who say what's mine is mine and what's yours is negotiable” (Kennedy, 1961). This timeless quotation epitomizes and typifies in essence what can commonly be regarded as cooperative negotiation. Formally, the term negotiation is commonly defined as two or more parties or groups deliberating amongst each other endeavoring to achieve a decisive result, which is mutually beneficial for both entities. When considering the process of negotiation across contrasting geographic locations or countries, negotiators have to understand the repercussions which heterogeneous cultures have in the final outcome of a potential deliberation. Culture is defined as the ‘unwritten rules of society’ (Hofstede et al, 2010) and most typically refers to those characteristics or values, which are unconsciously embedded in a large group of citizens through the ongoing processes of tradition and various forms of education. Understanding the pertinence of cultural...

Words: 2536 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Representation of Masculinity Through Ads

...Representation of Masculinity through ads I chose the Gucci ad that has two handsome men in suits and another Gucci ad that has James Franco on it. Though these two ads are from the same brand, they advertise two different products, one being suits and the other being cologne. Nonetheless these two ads are selling products suited for men. In the article “Men and Women's Women: How TV Commercials Portray Gender to Different Audiences” Steve Craig states “My previous research (Craig, 1990, December) supports the argument that advertisers also structure the gender images in their commercials to match the expectations and fantasies of their intended audience” (Craig). Advertisers expect to sell a product using what the intended gender of consumers will understand. Through these ads women expect men to have a good job, to be manly, and also be attractive. Women’s perspective of men as well as men’s perspective of themselves is influenced by High end brands representation of masculinity; these brands advertise masculinity through occupations, physical characteristics, and sex appeal. A man’s job/occupation is a factor in defining masculinity and what it takes to be a masculine man. For instance if a man were a nurse then many people would say that his occupation is the opposite of masculine, but if that man were a firefighter or surgeon than suddenly he is masculine because of his job. In the essay “Masters of Desire: The Culture of American Advertising”, Jack Solomon discusses what...

Words: 1724 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Hihi

...terms of leadership styles as influenced by their respective different cultures. The reason in selecting Japan as one of the research countries is because of its deep rooted strong cultural beliefs and group centered style in a business perspective. It is well known to the world that Japan is a closed economy but at the same time, extremely competitive. On the other hand, United States make a good contrast in terms of its open culture and individualistic style of doing business. Despite the differences, both are amongst the most competitive and successful nations in the world. The compromising Japanese and confrontational Americans do make this research journey an exciting and interesting one. Different cultures exist in the world and their impact on leadership styles in their respective countries is significant. As defined by Luthans and Doh (2009, p96), “Culture is the acquired knowledge that people use to interpret experience and generate social behaviour.” And culture is gained through transmissions between individuals in forms of symbols, rituals, languages, stories told and etc. It will be interesting to find out that the countries’ cultures do in fact influence their leadership styles to quite a great extent. In this report, two entirely different cultures; Japan and United States will be explored in depth to provide a better understanding of their background. The seven determinants of culture in these two countries will be individually discussed as well. Leadership...

Words: 6990 - Pages: 28

Premium Essay

Aboriginal Blackfellas In Australia

...In my film analysis essay, I want to discuss about the aboriginal “blackfellas” in Australia, and further the masculinity in the company of the “father and son” relationship which are presented in this film. Mad Bastards, a Paramount Pictures film which was filmed in 2010, written and directed by Brendan Fletcher, and starred by Dean Daley-Jones, Lucas Yeeda, and Greg Tait. In addition, Mad Bastards had been nominated for 12 awards, and had won two. Besides, Mad Bastards was an official selection of 2011 Sundance Film Festival. The Sundance Film Festival is an American film festival held annually in Utah, and is the largest independent film festival in the US for American and international independent filmmakers. The festival covers competitive...

Words: 920 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Masculinity in Chuck Palahniuk's Work

...Introduction Mass culture would have most readers and viewers believing that the Post-modern American male is a simple creature. Common stereotypes margin male satisfaction in a minimal setting – a Lazyboy armchair in a lounge with a flat screen TV playing ‘the game’ along with primal banter regarding women. More often than not, this is washed down with a beer. With this array of comfort and leisure we are inclined to believe that male lifestyle has reached its peak on the timeline of satisfaction. This was until David Fincher took Chuck Palahniuk’s novel Fight Club and made it into a big budget Hollywood blockbuster. With the male demographic being the hardest to pinpoint in the literature sense, David Fincher’s adaptation helpfully put Palahniuk’s thoughts into the cinematic forefront. This increased the popularity of Palahniuk’s other works and placed him in the cannon of Post-modern American fiction. It is the issues of modern masculinity that grasps critics’ attention more so than any other Palahniuk themes. It is very apparent that masculinity has changed as a natural progression of modernisation. This dissertation will analyse masculinity as it is depicted in Palahniuk’s writings and explore Palahniuk’s intentions and beliefs. I will interpret the responses of select critics in order to gain some understanding of what Palahniuk deems to be the ideal model of masculinity in the modern world, beneath his post-modern twists, transgressive characterization and...

Words: 7055 - Pages: 29

Premium Essay

Womens Studies

...Carie Wright April 10, 2012 WMST 453 Essay #2 We are born often with a single identity of being male or female. The second we are born, behaviors of others and how we are treated are based on that fact alone. If we are female, we are more likely to be dressed in pink and ruffles. If we are male, we are more likely to be dressed in blue. Being born male or female carries a lot of preconceived notions about how we are supposed to be treated, dressed, and raised. Being feminine is different than being female, just as being male is different from being male. That is Leach’s main point I think. Just because we are male doesn’t mean we are masculine, but in every culture being male comes with its own expectations of being masculine. Men are violent and get rage easily. Men abuse women and rape them. A female murderer is a rare thing to come by, or so we think, because women are peace keepers and they are sweet and kind. Men are the bullies and the mean people. “There was, however, no correlation between testosterone and rated masculinity or attractiveness” (Peters, Simons, and Rhodes, 2008). There is a set of behaviors and rules that one is supposed to follow being a male. Leach also specifies that theories of masculinity must take into account the power roles that come with being masculine, otherwise the theories are incomplete. “Unlike the biological state of maleness, masculinity is a gender identity constructed socially, historically and politically. It is the cultural interpretation...

Words: 1267 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Hrm and Cultural Dimensions

...Based On Cultural Dimensions Tyrone Kelly Saint Leo University We recognize that we exist in a global economy. Advances in telecommunications and Internet technology have literally placed connectivity with the world at our fingertips. This evolution is a catalyst for people of various nations who would not ordinarily interact, to collaborate, work much closer, more intimately and more frequently than ever before. This is a very stimulating time, yet it is also challenging for Human Resource Management teams in administrations all over the world. Questions such as, what are the cultural business norms or taboos that one should be sensitive to, or how to interact in a business setting with someone of another culture will inevitably arise. Thus, learning the people, culture and work ethic of a host nation is just as important, if not more so than learning about its business, finance and engineering infrastructures. The requirements of developing strategies, organizing projects, and motivating individuals to achieve and maintain competitive advantage for joint ventures is essential. Just as important is the development of sincere relations with people from around the world. Understanding key element of cultural diversity will be critical in this endeavor. No matter where you are in the world, people expect to be treated with respect and honor when you are guests in their country. Attempts to change others to fit your paradigm, e.g., expecting everyone to be fluent in English,...

Words: 1365 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Hrm and Cultural Dimensions

...Based On Cultural Dimensions Tyrone Kelly Saint Leo University We recognize that we exist in a global economy. Advances in telecommunications and Internet technology have literally placed connectivity with the world at our fingertips. This evolution is a catalyst for people of various nations who would not ordinarily interact, to collaborate, work much closer, more intimately and more frequently than ever before. This is a very stimulating time, yet it is also challenging for Human Resource Management teams in administrations all over the world. Questions such as, what are the cultural business norms or taboos that one should be sensitive to, or how to interact in a business setting with someone of another culture will inevitably arise. Thus, learning the people, culture and work ethic of a host nation is just as important, if not more so than learning about its business, finance and engineering infrastructures. The requirements of developing strategies, organizing projects, and motivating individuals to achieve and maintain competitive advantage for joint ventures is essential. Just as important is the development of sincere relations with people from around the world. Understanding key element of cultural diversity will be critical in this endeavor. No matter where you are in the world, people expect to be treated with respect and honor when you are guests in their country. Attempts to change others to fit your paradigm, e.g., expecting everyone to be fluent in English,...

Words: 1365 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Male Nurses

...average age of the workforce, long hours, work that is often menial or clerical, and finally, relatively low salaries. But these strands lead to new questions, wider causes which have nothing to do with social yarn. These new questions have to do with rhetoric and the enduring association of nursing with “women’s work” and “femininity.” Matthew has the audacity to ask how the rhetoric of femininity actually functions. How and why are we compelled to accept images and tropes as ‘normal’ or ‘natural’ when they are anything but normal and natural? Is it possible that the rhetoric of nursing is responsible for the shortage? Or perhaps it is the rhetoric of femininity and masculinity as such? But how did such a crime take place, right under our noses, when so many of us never noticed that an injustice ever took place? This essay is brilliant and provocative because it will not stop until the crime...

Words: 6796 - Pages: 28

Premium Essay

Social Changes in Gender Roles in the Tenant of Wildfell Hall-Ann Bronte.

...Histories The Victorian novel Comparison of critical sources. Ann Bronte the Tenant of Wildfell Hall APR0055-1516 Tutor: Merrick Burrows 27.11.2015 This essay seeks to discuss, compare and contrast two preferred sources that carried out a critique of Ann Bronte’s, the tenant of wildfell hall. In order to compile a factually based discussion, a key area needed to be focused on, namely, how social changes affected the gender roles in the early 18th century (1832-48). Furthermore detailing how the change challenged traditions and ideologies of the then rather prominent English common law, and the normative principle’s that surrounded motherhood. The Critical sources that bear the utmost relevance to the challenging social content that the tenant demonstrated are Monica Hope Lee’s essay a mother outlaw vindicated: social critique in Ann Bronte’s the tenant of wildfell hall. Nineteenth century gender studies. (4.3), 1-12. And chapter 2 from, Macdonald, T (2015) the new man, masculinity and marriage in the Victorian novel. London: Routledge. Both critics, attempt to dichotomise the tenant of wildfell hall in order to get representative discourse that outlines the social changes in question, moreover they seek to disclose how Bronte summarises her own personal perception of gender ideals in the regency culture, and how she displays openness and vision, as opposed to becoming a shrinking wall flower hidden in the shadows of sporadic sunlight, with a masked existence, and blind...

Words: 2334 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight” Clifford Geertz

...In his essay, “Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight” Clifford Geertz described what appears to be playing sports or even gambling – cockfighting. But reading further, one can understand that one important point of the article addresses human passions, self-expression, and relationship building aspects of the people of Bali. In my mind this essay is a microcosm of humanity as a whole, one difference is found in the representation of different cultures. At the onset, Geertz tells us a story of his first hand observation of an illegal cockfight in one of the villages in Bali. Prier to the cockfight he and his wife were unacknowledged in the village, but were accepted into the local society after their support in covering up the illegal event to the police. That is the moment when he realizes that cockfighting in Bali is not a just about gambling, but is much more civic in nature. After watching numerous fights he suggests that the fights are metaphoric; and not between cocks but between people. These fights are, “… a convulsive surge of animal hatred, a mock war of symbolical selves, and a formal simulation of status tensions.” He uses this occasion to represent one’s feelings towards other members of the local society. Even though there is money involved in making bids, it is secondary to the metaphoric demonstration of one’s pride, poise, dispassion and masculinity associated with the fights. Even though people are unharmed, it is only the cocks that pay with their life...

Words: 556 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Hmong People in the States

...THE STATE OF HMONG-AMERICAN STUDIES (A BIBLIOGRAPHIC ESSAY) By Mark E. Pfeifer, PhD Director, Hmong Resource Center, Saint Paul Editor, Hmong Studies Journal Introduction In the newly published volume Hmong/Miao in Asia, Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books, co-editor Nicholas Tapp provides an insightful essay “The State of Hmong Studies: An Essay on Bibliography” which traces the temporal development of research on the Hmong and assesses some of the key works within the interdisciplinary realm of Hmong Studies. Tapp’s essay is very valuable as an overview of the growth of Hmong Studies research based in Asia. Unfortunately, the sections of his piece pertaining to Hmong-American Studies, are, as he himself acknowledges, dated as they are heavily focused on publications from the 1980s and early 1990s. It is the purpose of the present short essay to provide the reader with an assessment of recent developments in Hmong-American Studies and some insights about certain research areas that need further development in the field. Health and Medicine Hmong-American Studies research has grown dramatically since the early 1990s. The Hmong Resource Center library in Saint Paul now possesses more than 150 dissertations/theses and 450 journal articles pertaining to HmongAmericans (as opposed to Hmong in Asia and other countries). The vast majority 1 of these works have been published since 1994. There are certain fields within Hmong-American Studies that have seen very important...

Words: 1179 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Generator

...contrast, their lack of understanding and adapting to foreign ways of thinking has resulted in the potential alienation and humiliation of their partners. With their failure to proactively administer to these cultural differences Generator must now address these issues downstream. Ideally they would have fashioned their forward-looking communications in a manner that acknowledged the difference between Chinese and Thai culture and approached them from two different standpoints. By segmenting one country from the other they will have the opportunity to facilitate constructive negotiations that are culturally aligned with their intended audience. This would also encourage them to not group all Asian cultures together and repeat mistakes that they have made by using an ethnocentric approach to their prior dealings. Justification for the different approaches can be found in the research conducted by Geert Hofstede. Hofstede, a pioneer in the research of cross-cultural dynamics, developed a system for assessing and differentiating national and group cultures. He delineated these variables into five the following distinct categories Power...

Words: 1105 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Walmart in the German Market

...operations is a huge issue which has faced many companies in today’s competitive business environment. With the increase in communications and ability to reach other countries being cheaper and easier in the 21st century, many companies have chosen to internationalise and expand on the domestic market in order to generate greater profits and become household names internationally. This essay will look at how American born company Wal-Mart Stores, Inc has grown and seen successes and failures in the international environment. It also will look at reasons behind the failures in relation to culture, using the venture into the world’s third largest retail market, Germany as the main focus for the essay. Firstly, this essay will look at culture and some theories that surround it and also look at different dimensions that make up culture. The definition of culture according to the Oxford Dictionary (1992) is: “the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively or a refined understanding or appreciation of culture”. The theory that has been chosen to outline culture is Geert Hofstede’s five dimensions. The reason Hofstede’s theory has been used as an example in this case is because of the extensive research that he has put into developing his theories, as well as its relevance to the Wal-Mart failure in Germany. Between the years of 1967 and 1973, while Hofstede was working at international company IBM as a psychologist, he did a survey of...

Words: 2553 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Michael Sam and His Portrayal in the Media

...challenges. Most locker rooms have a “don’t ask don’t tell” policy, and there are few openly gay male athletes in hyper masculine sports like American Football. Michael Sam 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...

Words: 3218 - Pages: 13