Masculinity isn’t “toxic” by itself, but the strain boys feel from society and parents to meet unrealistic expectations is

 

 

Read the first eight paragraphs of this article:

 

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/our-narrow-view-of-masculinity-is-hurting-boys/

and decide if the sentences below are true or false:

 

1. The concept of ‘hegemonic masculinity’ refers to the dominance of all men over women in society.

2. Boys and men are often socialized to conform to rigid masculine norms, such as being tough and emotionally stoic.

3. Research indicates that societal pressure to conform to narrow definitions of masculinity can lead to negative outcomes, including aggression and low self-esteem among men.

4. Promoting a single, rigid definition of masculinity benefits all members of society equally.

5. Parental beliefs and behaviors significantly influence how boys perceive and internalize societal expectations of masculinity.

6. Encouraging boys to engage in activities that promote empathy and emotional expression can help counteract harmful aspects of traditional masculinity.

7. Rigid adherence to traditional masculine norms isn’t linked to higher rates of mental health issues among men.

 

Key: 1F; 2T; 3T; 4F; 5T; 6T; 7F

 

Glossary

 

• strain – if a situation is a ~, it makes you worried and tense
• resurgence – a new increase of activity or interest in a particular subject or idea that had been forgotten for some time
• rigid – stiff; not able to be changed
• to thwart – to oppose successfully or prevent
• in the throes of (doing or experiencing something, especially something difficult) –  busy doing it or deeply involved in it
• to compel – to force somebody to do something
• benign – kind and gentle; not hurting anybody
• manly (behaviour or appearance) – qualities typical of a man, such as strength or courage
• puberty – the stage in people’s lives when they develop from a child into an adult because of changes in their body that make them able to have children

 

Practice makes perfect

Fill in the gaps in the video excerpt with the words in bold below:

 

superior             frustration               dominating              doubt                  charge               

manhood             exception            tough                twisted               lead

I grew up in New York City, between Harlem and the Bronx. Growing up as a boy, we were taught that men had to be 1. …….. , had to be strong, had to be courageous, 2. …………. , no pain, no emotions, with the 3. ………… of anger and definitely no fear, that men are in 4. ………… , which means women are not, that men 5. ………. , and you should just follow and just do what we say, that men are 6. ……….. , women are inferior, that men are strong, women are weak, that women are of less value, property of men and objects, particularly sexual objects. I’ve later come to know that to be the collective socialisation of men, better known as the man box.

See, this man box has in it all the ingredients of how we define what it means to be a man. Now, I also want to say, without a 7. ………. , there are some wonderful, wonderful, absolutely wonderful things about being a man, but at the same time, there’s some stuff that’s just straight up 8. ………. , and we really need to begin to challenge, look at it, and really get in the process of deconstructing, redefining what we come to know as 9. ………….. . 

 This is my two at home, Kendall and Jade. They’re 11 and 12. Kendall’s 15 months over than Jade. (…) And when they were about five and six, four and five, you know, Jade could (…) come to me crying, you know, it didn’t matter what she was crying about. She can get on my knees, she can snot my sleeve up, just cry, cry it out, daddy got you, that’s all that’s important.

Now, Kendall, on the other hand, and like I said, he’s only 15 months older than her, he come to me crying, it’s like as soon as I would hear him crying, a clock would go off. You know, I would give the boy probably about 30 seconds, which means by the time he got to me, I was already saying things like, why are you crying, hold your head up, look at me, explain to me what’s wrong, (…) I can’t understand you why you’re crying.  And out of my own 10. ……….. of my role and responsibility of building him up as a man to fit into these guidelines and these structures that are defining this man box, I would find myself saying things like, just go in your room, (…), sit down, get yourself together, and come back and talk to me when you could talk to me like …a what? Like a man.

And he’s five years old.  You know, as I grow in life, I would say to myself, my God, what’s wrong with me, what am I doing, you know, why would I do this? (…)

Now watch the whole video and check your answers:

Key: 1. tough; 2. gominatin; 3. exception; 4. charge; 5. lead; 6. superior; 7. doubt; 8. twisted; 9. manhood; 10. frustration

 

 

Discuss:

 

• What do you think of the “man box” (mentioned in the video)?
• In what ways do the constraints of the “man box” affect men’s relationships with women and other men?
• What steps can individuals and communities take to challenge and redefine traditional masculine norms?
• Discuss the role of media in perpetuating or challenging traditional gender roles. Can you identify examples where media has influenced your perception of masculinity?
• What personal actions can you take to promote gender equality and support others in breaking free from restrictive gender norms?

 

Watch and revise!

 

Breaking Free from Rigid Masculinity

 

 

https://www.cloud.worldwideschool.pl/index.php/s/WgPwTMdMonzazEY

 

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