In discussing gender roles portrayed in today’s society, men face numerous threats of discrimination towards their masculinity. In society, men feel the pressure to conform to a certain set of (mostly unspoken) man rules. These man rules or “man code” are extremely hard to follow; one wrong action could mean the end of a man’s reputation and respect. Three articles from the “Sociological Images” website depict the effects of masculinity’s values and norms. The first two articles reinforce gendered stereotypes in merchandise and advertisement. The last article depicts the type of “manly” standards that young men in America feel pressure to abide by. In all of these articles, men face the risk of discrimination for not abiding by the “man code”
HOW PATRIARCHY CONSTRAINS MEN’S CHOICES
by Lisa Wade, May 25, 2010, at 10:59 am
http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2010/05/25/how-patriarchy-constrains-mens-choices/
The first article discusses the difference in variety of SIGG water bottles for men versus women. The article points out the fact that specific gender-targeting divides the choices for men and women, but ultimately result in less variety for men. In the article’s study, 135 total water bottles water bottles were examined; 77 water bottles are listed under the women’s collection, but only 58 are listed in the men’s. In fact, women are able to choose ANY of the bottles. However, men are limited to only choices that appear to be “masculine” --- choosing otherwise runs the risk of discrimination from other guys for his “feminine” choice. The description under both the male and female collections are amusing for their clearly gendered language:
“Men: Swiss craftmanship. Durable performance. These classic reusable bottles will help keep you hydrated no matter what life throws at you.”
“Women: A fresh, fun blend of color and style. These beautiful reusable bottles are fashionable and functional. Ready for your next adventure or as an everyday accessory.”
MEN AND NON-COMPLIANCE WITH PATRIARCHY
by Lisa Wade, Jun 27, 2009, at 10:55 am
http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2009/06/27/men-and-non-compliance-with-patriarchy/
The second article discusses that scholars argue that “patriarchy relies not just on a hierarchy that places men above women, but a hierarchy of men that punishes men who don’t obey rules of masculinity.” The article uses a series of pictures featuring an advertising campaign for Oberto Beef Jerky that displays the words: “Eat like an alpha.” The second part of the advertisement shows a picture of an open notebook. The title for one page reads “The Alpha” and lists the traits needed to be an alpha which include things like: walks in first, drives, calls the shots, picks the bar, tells the jokes, etc….On the adjacent page, the title reads: “The Sidekick” and includes sidekick-like traits: walks in second, rides shotgun, buys the shots, picks up the tab, etc….The message is clear:
“The Alpha is the first; the sidekick is second. The Alpha gets served; the Sidekick serves. The Alpha gets the hot chick; the Sidekick gets the ‘ugly friend.’ The Alpha makes the decisions; the Sidekick takes them.”
This advertisement illustrates the threat to men if they don’t comply with patriarchy. If you’re fortunate enough to be an alpha male then your quest for hegemonic masculinity is safer than being discriminated at for being a sidekick.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH BEING A “MAN”?
by Lisa Wade, Apr 10, 2011, at 11:39 am
http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2011/04/10/whats-wrong-with-being-a-man/#more-34580
The last article discusses a video by Tony Porter, co-founder of A Call to Men: The National Association of Men and Women Committed to Ending Violence Against Women. Porter gives a speech accompanied by a powerpoint presentation about what it means for men confined by the “dictates of masculinity” and the consequences it plays on other men, women, sons, and daughters. The disturbing thing about this video is Porter’s explanation of the man box, a box containing a set of rules that men feel pressured to follow in society. For a man to not follow these set of rules, he risks being discriminated against by his fellow peers. Porter shares a story to illustrate:
I come to also look at this as this fear that we have as men, this fear that just has us paralyzed, holding us hostage to this man box. I can remember speaking to a 12 year-old boy, a football player, and I asked him, I said, “How would you feel if, in front of all the players, your coach told you you were playing like a girl?” Now I expected him to say something like, I’d be sad, I’d be mad, I’d be angry, or something like that. No, the boy said to me — the boy said to me, “It would destroy me.” And I said to myself, “God, if it would destroy him to be called a girl, what are we then teaching him about girls?”
Being called a girl is the ultimate insult for any man, because it damages his reputation in quest for hegemonic masculinity and can lead to verbal discrimination by his peers (discussed below).
These article display social values and norms for men in society --- where the social values are the feelings, thoughts, and actions that men feel are fundamentally important to being a man and the social norms result as the consequences of men’s social values. According to the text discrimination there are five basic levels of discrimination:
- Verbal
- Avoidance
- Exclusion
- Physical
- Extermination
As discussed in the articles, males may face all five of these levels of discrimination if they fail to abide by their social values and norms. Verbal discrimination could be as a form of homophobic name calling (being called a girl in article three). Males may experience avoidance or exclusion from their peers, or they are likely to face some sort of physical discrimination as a form of “toughing up.” Extermination seems to be extreme in this case, but for close knit groups such as gangs, failure to comply may endanger someone’s life.
In examining the different levels of social norms and values portrayed in these articles, evidently men run the risk of discrimination from their fellow peers and loss of hegemonic status for not following the “man code.” However, with all the problems men face with proving their masculinity in society --- gang wars, domestic violence, rape --- I believe that it takes a bigger man to steps up and challenge the “man code” with its values and norms than a man who just abides by it.
References:
Parrillo, Vincent N. Understanding Race and Ethnic Relations. 3rd ed. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon, 2008. Print.
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