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The Construction and Reinforcement of Masculinity in North America

Table of Contents
Traditional Masculinity
Hegemonic Masculinity
Toxic Masculinity
Media Influence on Masculinity

Traditional Masculinity

Traditional Masculinity is a feature of socially constructed gender norms that are associated with being male[1]. Male gender norms are often considered innate to men, however, all genders can obtain socially constructed masculine traits just as men hold socially constructed feminine traits[2]. The western understanding of masculinity and femininity that are dominant are born out of outdated knowledge of gender as fixed rather than fluid. Masculinity can be better understood through the lens of gender which is influenced by a combination of historical, societal and cultural components and contains theories of what it means to be ‘male’[3]. ‘‘Masculinity’ or ‘manliness’ in Western society insinuates that people born male should obtain certain social and emotional characteristics such as to be assertive, tough and non-emotional[4].

Hegemonic Masculinity

This ideal of masculintiy derives from the patriarchies emphasis on hegemonic masculintiy; which assumes that men are the dominant sex and that women and weaker men should be subjugated by powerful men[5]. Hegemonic masculinity also situates the societally ideal man as the one deserving of power and dominance which subjects men who do not fit the societal mold of male perfection to subjugation as well[6]. Men are penalized for obtaining socially constructed “feminine” characteristics if they behave in ways that are considered weak, empathetic or vulnerable. These norms hinder the health and development of men and other genders by socializing men to behave in ways that are violent, aggressive or emotionally repressive which leads to toxic masculinity.

Toxic Masculinity

In North America, boys and men are socialized to behave in ways that are non-vulnerable and tough. This has led to the societal construction of toxic masculinity which is dangerous to the rest of society. Toxic masculinity refers to certain gendered norms that are taught to men through notions such as the “boys will be boys” mentality which has perpetuated a harmful promotion of violence and aggression in men from a very young age[7]. The movement away from toxic masculinity requires holding men accountable for misogynistic actions in order to bring societal change. Toxic masculinity is also known to cause increased health issues in men such as depression, substance abuse and cardiovascular problems. Since toxic masculinity promotes violence as an indicator of power, this conditioning is also to blame for the higher representation of men in the prison system for committing violent crimes[8]. Additionally, this ideal of masculinity has promoted the dominance of straight men over every other gender, identity or orientation. Where toxic masculinity is internalized, whoever does not fit the category of a straight man are all subjected to power, violence and bullying.

Media Influence on Masculinity

Much of what is happening in Western society is perpetuated and reinforced through the influence of the media; behaviours are taught to children through television and as they get older they are subjected to a much larger scope of media where they are further socialized. The media plays a large role in conditioning boys on the understanding of what it means to be a “man”. Specifically in US television, boys learn that they will be rewarded for self-control, dominance of others, aggression and financial independence. Additionally, US television teaches boys that they should be heterosexual and work-focused while teaching non-white men that they are even more inclined than white men to act out in violence as a means of problem solving. The portrayal of men in the media as physically strong, aggressive and powerful further extends the notion of how men should behave in society[9]. The media has focused on the male appearance as athletic and fit with a strong-build. This image of manliness has led to the social construction of unrealistic fitness levels and physical standards while also reinforcing the stereotype that men must be interested in sports to be desirable. This has led to toxic body image issues and other mental health issues in men[10].

Summary

There are many ways that children are subjected to the internalization of harmful gender norms. All forms of socialization influences a child's development, thus, gender assumptions influence what a child knows about their gender. Another example are teachers, they have the ability to influence children through their responses and choices they make for children[11]. The toys they allow children to play with and the roles they are given within the classroom and even at home. While North American masculinity has been constructued and imposed upon society by the patriarchy, it is actively being deconstructed through advancements in academia, policy and education on gender and feminist knowledge.

  1. "Definition Of MASCULINITY". 2019. Merriam-Webster.Com. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masculinity.
  2. Halberstam, J. 2004. Female masculinity. In M. S. Kimmel, & A. Aronson, Men and Masculinities: A Social, Cultural, and Historical Encyclopedia(Vol. 1, pp. pp. 294–5). Santa Barbara, California.
  3. Hearn, Jeff. 1994. "Research In Men And Masculinities: Some Sociological Issues And Possibilities". The Australian And New Zealand Journal Of Sociology 30 (1): 47-70. doi:10.1177/144078339403000104.
  4. Mayer, David. 2018. "How Men Get Penalized For Straying From Masculine Norms". Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2018/10/how-men-get-penalized-for-straying-from-masculine-norms.
  5. Schmitz, Rachel, and Emily Kazyak. 2016. "Masculinities in cyberspace: An analysis of portrayals of manhood in men’s rights activist websites." Social Sciences 5.2: 18.
  6. Schmitz, Rachel, and Emily Kazyak. 2016. "Masculinities in cyberspace: An analysis of portrayals of manhood in men’s rights activist websites." Social Sciences 5.2: 18.
  7. Salam, Maya. 2019. "What Is Toxic Masculinity?". Nytimes.Com. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/22/us/toxic-masculinity.html.
  8. Salam, Maya. 2019. "What Is Toxic Masculinity?". Nytimes.Com. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/22/us/toxic-masculinity.html.
  9. "How The Media Define Masculinity". n.d. Mediasmarts. http://mediasmarts.ca/gender-representation/men-and-masculinity/how-media-define-masculinity.
  10. Daniel, S., & Bridges, S. K. 2010. The drive for muscularity in men: Media influences and objectification theory. Body Image, 7(1), 32-38. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2009.08.003
  11. "Gender Differences In The Classroom | Educational Psychology". 2019. Educational Psychology. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-educationalpsychology/chapter/gender-differences-in-the-classroom/.