GRSJ224/masculinityandpopularculture

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Masculinity and Popular Culture

There has been a recurring theme in popular culture regarding masculinity, in all areas from music to television. A form of "hyper-masculinity" has been projected into the mainstream media. This hyper-masculinity is defined as extremely or excessively masculine [1] and is used to describe an exaggeration of stereotypical male behaviour. This includes placing an emphasis on physical strength, aggression, and sexuality.[2] In popular culture, there is a history of masculinity being equated with physical power. Additionally, any traits that can be perceived as being "feminine," such as a display of emotions or sensitivity, can take away from a man's "masculinity."

Toxic Masculinity

This culture of hyper-masculinty can lead to an emergence of what is labelled as "toxic masculinity." According to the Good Men Project toxic masculinity is "a narrow and repressive description of manhood, designating manhood as defined by violence, sex, status, and aggression." [3] This term is not used to describe masculinity itself, rather, a form of gendered behaviour that can arise when what someone perceives as "being a man" goes awry. Men are not naturally violent, instead, it is the gendered norms inflicted upon them, starting at a young age, that can create this warped vision of being a man. In her article, Clemens states that "for particular men and boys, toxic masculinity has created a vacuum in their lives that can be filled through violence." [4]

Hip-Hop

Since the emergence of the music genre of hip-hop, hyper-masculinity has been at the forefront. Men had been portrayed as womanizers, affiliated with gangs and violence, and only concerned with wealth. In the 90's, it was considered taboo for a man to display any femininity or vulnerability. A prime example of the masculinity in hip-hop is the hip-hop artist DMX's music video for his hit song, "Ruff Ryders' Anthem." The video is overtly masculine, with the opening frames consisting of men riding motorcycles and lifting weights. The mainstream culture of this time was ripe with misogyny and homophobia, contributing to the idea of the masculine man.

The Changing Landscape of Masculinity

Young Thug's mixtape, No, My Name is Jeffrey, cover.

In recent years, this perception of the ideal masculine man is being challenged and the notions of hyper-masculinity are being confronted. In hip-hop for example, many popular mainstream artists are embracing their vulnerability and so-called "feminine" traits. For example, in 2016 the rapper Young Thug released a mixtape, No, My Name is Jeffrey, and on the cover he is wearing a dress. By choosing to do this, Young Thug was challenging the gendered norms normally associated with male hip-hop artists and how they are expected to dress. Another artist, Drake has been well known for not only rapping, but branching off into R&B and singing about love and heartbreak. BY showcasing his vulnerability, he is challenging the masculine norms at a mainstream level.

  1. "hypermasculine definition".
  2. "Hypermasculinity". Wikipedia. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  3. "The Difference Between Toxic Masculinity and Being A Man". The Good Men Project. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  4. "What We Mean When We Say, "Toxic Masculinity"". Teaching Tolerance.