Masculinity in the US Media

The media is widely known as the United States society’s biggest influencer; it teaches us how to act, how to dress, and what our perceived ‘norms’ should be. Young adults and teens are the most susceptible to the information they see in TV shows, magazines, etc. The way in which masculinity is portrayed in the US media teaches young boys how to act, and how not to. From being ‘manly’ and hiding emotions, to dressing in certain manners, the media tells viewers how masculinity should be defined. Along with this, scholar Andrea Waling emphasizes that the media is one of the strongest creators and mantainers of "gender identities and gender role expectations"(429). During adolescence, teenagers are prone to societal influence, as this is a time of growth, curiosity, and big changes. The want to fit in and be socially accepted becomes quite important, and by creating self-image based off the media, adolescents are able to construct themselves into ideal forms.

How does the US Media portray Masculinity

Masculinity in the US media is a trait of the All-American man, driving a motorcycle and grilling up burgers after Sunday night football. We constantly see this portrayal in the media, not only in the TV shows we watch, but also in the commercials that run between each episode. As a commerical pops up for the classic American hot dog, we see a strong-built man grilling alongside his son, passing around a football. Though this is just one scenario, many similar cases exist. When young boys see this, the idea of masculinity is constructed in their head as one of physical strength, ability to be the head of a household, and having a hard shell. But this scenario is socially constructed, in fact the US has constructed this image as the definition of masculinity. Authors Daniel and Bridges both comment on the effect of the media on men's body image, explaining that "internalization of media ideals [is] the strongest predictor of the drive for muscularity"(32). They make the vital connection between exposure to media content and the want to physically look ideal, which can be toxic to the growth of young boys. This want, and other social pressures, may lead to drug use, body dephormation, as well as various mental health issues.

Masculinity in Popular TV Shows

American Chopper Cast Members

When turning on the TV to a popular broadcast in the US, one may immediately notice the portrayal of men in ‘manly’ ways. Though TV shows have evolved to broadcasting a broader variety of sexualities and less mainstream views on individuals, we still see the more emotional and sensitive characters marketed as homosexual, rather than heterosexual. As Sharon Mazzarella comments on the popular documentary soap opera, American Chopper, the show is about fathers and their sons and their motorcycle buisness, and helps construct the American image of masculinity. It portrays solely straight sons and their straight fathers doing socially acceptable 'manly' activities. She also concludes that this is a show solely about men, and most of the audience watching the show weekly are also male.

Masculinity in Popular Magazines

Men's Health Magazine Cover

When looking at the most popular magazines in the US, a leader is always Sports Illustrated. This magazine highlights recent sporting events and news, but while even glimpsing at the cover, it is usually full of shirtless, muscular men. This pushes the "drive for muscularity", again talked about by Daniel and Bridges. Viewing men on these magazines who are not only good looking, but also sucessful, push young boys to strive for this end goal. This makes them more likley to take steroids and other drugs to achieve this masculine body type, regardless of the negative health effects. Even magazine's catered to the health of men, such as Men's Health, are stocked with pictures of shirtless, athetic, attractive men. As Federico Boni comments on this magazine in particular, "Men's Health contributes to the production and reproduction of a (male) bodily `order' accomplished through `body techniques' and `technologies of the self'" (465). Not only on the cover, but also on more than half of the pages inside. Viewing these magazines may provide positive goals for adolescents, but in most cases they push young men to develop feelings of self loathe, and make them uncomfortable with the way they look because they cannot achieve this ideal masculine image. As Waling et al. mention, the frequent veiwing of magazines similar to the two mentioned above result in "body image dissatisfaction and potential vulnerability to eating disorders"(26) and the lack of self confidence which a young adult desperately needs .

Intersectionality and Masculinity

When speaking about intersectionality, the intersection between gender and age is one highlighted with masculinity in the US media. The media targets younger men, who are more prone to social pressure, and teaches them what it means to be masculine. Their age makes them more prone to social pressures, while their gender effects what magazines they are reading and the social expectations society places on men. Additionally, the intersections of race and social class also can be seen in the way the media portrays masculinity.  For one example, magazines regarding men's health in the US refrain from featuring an array of ethnic men, despite the countless different ethnicities that exist in the US. Most cover shots of these magazines feature well-know, rich, white men. Not only are they in the 'dominant' race, but also the 'dominant' social class.

Summary

In the US, young men are highly suceptible to low self confience and body image issues-- both key outcomes of the media's portrayal of men. As seen in popular TV shows, such as American Chopper, and magazines such as Sport's Illustrated and Men's Health, the ideal man and the concept of masculinity are both constructed as those of a physically strong and emotionally hard, heterosexual man. This portrayal of masculinity is one that fails to regard that masculinity comes in many forms, and varies based on culture and society. The US media promotes strong, muscular men as a concept of masculinity, which may lead to drug usage and various mental health conditions in adolescents to arise. The strive for perfection and masculinity can be toxic to adolscent readers and viewers. The intersections, as discussed above, come between race, social class, gender, and age.