Final Paper Relationships can be extremely treacherous. They can have many highs and lows that can impact the way that men and women interpret the opposite sex and the certain characteristics that are associated with one another. In Steve Harvey’s novel, “Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man,” he breaks down the potential issues that can arise in a relationship from women not fully understanding how their man may work and what may make him tick. Harvey’s novel is basically a road map for women. He is able to use personal narratives and experiences to help women positively impact their relationship, or future relationships, so that they are long lasting, healthy, and beneficial for both parties. While this novel is solely based on Harvey’s opinions,
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The beginning of the novel covers the topic of masculinity and what defines “manhood.” Harvey states that, “men are driven by who they are, what they do, and how much they make” (Harvey, 11). This is not because they’re concerned with how women view them; however, “because in [a man’s] world, he’s being judged by other men, based on who he is, what he does, and how much he makes” (Harvey et al., pg.16) He wants to be able personify hyper-masculinity to his peers, even when he is lacking in certain areas. Society has made it so that men need to be a pillar of strength for their families and they can never crack under pressure. “Masculinity Ideology: Its Impact on Adolescent Males’ Heterosexual Relationships” by Joseph H. Pleck and associates, best describes how society’s standards of masculinity have shaped the way that people are supposed to look at what constitutes “being a man.” Pleck argues that, “society’s definition of masculinity may entail a variety of characteristics influencing close relationships either negatively (such as, according to some analyses, sexual aggression, low self-disclosure, and need for dominance) or positively (breadwinning responsibility)” (Pleck, …show more content…
Harvey says that men are extremely simple creatures, but this concept is a little puzzling. Why do women have to continuously have sex with them, be loyal, and support any endeavor they may have, just for men to do what is expected out of a man who is in a relationship. Relationships should be an equal partnership, and one person should not have to compromise significantly just to get what is expected out of the other. Again, Harvey has an extremely traditionalist and patriarchal view of a heterosexual relationship. One article that clearly describes this behavior is “Hostile and Benevolent Sexism: Measuring Ambivalent Sexist Attitudes Toward Women” by Peter Glick and Susan T. Fiske. They stated that, “hostile and benevolent sexism may differ in the valence they place on the attitude object “women,” but they share common assumptions (e.g., that women are the weaker sex): both presume traditional gender roles and both serve to justify and maintain patriarchal social structures” ( Glick,
The beginning of the novel covers the topic of masculinity and what defines “manhood.” Harvey states that, “men are driven by who they are, what they do, and how much they make” (Harvey, 11). This is not because they’re concerned with how women view them; however, “because in [a man’s] world, he’s being judged by other men, based on who he is, what he does, and how much he makes” (Harvey et al., pg.16) He wants to be able personify hyper-masculinity to his peers, even when he is lacking in certain areas. Society has made it so that men need to be a pillar of strength for their families and they can never crack under pressure. “Masculinity Ideology: Its Impact on Adolescent Males’ Heterosexual Relationships” by Joseph H. Pleck and associates, best describes how society’s standards of masculinity have shaped the way that people are supposed to look at what constitutes “being a man.” Pleck argues that, “society’s definition of masculinity may entail a variety of characteristics influencing close relationships either negatively (such as, according to some analyses, sexual aggression, low self-disclosure, and need for dominance) or positively (breadwinning responsibility)” (Pleck, …show more content…
Harvey says that men are extremely simple creatures, but this concept is a little puzzling. Why do women have to continuously have sex with them, be loyal, and support any endeavor they may have, just for men to do what is expected out of a man who is in a relationship. Relationships should be an equal partnership, and one person should not have to compromise significantly just to get what is expected out of the other. Again, Harvey has an extremely traditionalist and patriarchal view of a heterosexual relationship. One article that clearly describes this behavior is “Hostile and Benevolent Sexism: Measuring Ambivalent Sexist Attitudes Toward Women” by Peter Glick and Susan T. Fiske. They stated that, “hostile and benevolent sexism may differ in the valence they place on the attitude object “women,” but they share common assumptions (e.g., that women are the weaker sex): both presume traditional gender roles and both serve to justify and maintain patriarchal social structures” ( Glick,