The Definition Of Masculinity In Tough Guise By Jackson Katz

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Our society has assigned certain characteristics that one must follow to be considered masculine. Parents and media have shaped men’s everyday lives to try to achieve this ideal masculinity. These aspects define masculinity and believe men are supposed to conform to these expectations. Throughout this paper, I will explore these aspects of masculinity and demonstrate how certain beliefs pertaining to it are perpetuated in society. To start, the definition of masculinity is important. Masculinity is to have the qualities traditionally associated with men (cite-definition). To be considered masculine in todays society there is gender roles that one is influenced to follow. Men are encouraged to act a certain way, for example, it is acceptable …show more content…
In the film, Katz explains that men are exposed to violence at an early age, starting in children’s movies. Katz says in the film that “we see the same glorification of violence as a legitimate tool for settling scores and expressing manhood even in kid movies”. In other words, children’s movies teach children from a young age, specifically boys, that violence can be used as a problem-solving method and a way to demonstrate masculinity. Violent movies are specifically targeted for men, “it makes sense that people who experience violent media – such as movie or video games – will respond differently to those stimuli” (Carroll). Since men are the one targeted by this, they are more likely to act the same way as they see actors do on movies or in video games. It would be unlikely for a girl to replicate the actions of a man she sees on television (cite). The movie Tough Guise also provides some facts about violence, stating 99% of rape cases are caused by men and that 86% cases of domestic violence are caused by men (cite). Media provides an important perspective on social attitudes, and that while the media are not the cause of violent behaviour in men and boys, they do portray male violence as a normal expression go masculinity (cite – Katz tough

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