How do boys learn the rules for what it means to be masculine? What are the differences in what those lessons are based on a person’s social economic status (SES)? What happens when a boy does not have the resources available to meet what society defines as being a man? The answers to these questions influence how boys grow into adulthood. The process of how boys mold their perception of what manhood is determines how they interact with society and contributes to their values and life goals. Violence has been an American staple for manhood since its conception. Early movies depicted wild west gun fights and strong, fearless, womanizing men as heroic role models for American men. Since then men have continuously been portrayed as independent,
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J. Pascoe researched high school students use of the label “fag” as a method of defining masculinity among teenage boys. Pascoe observed that being labeled a fag serves as a discourse that boys use to discipline each other though joking (330). A fag is an abject identity that represents being feminine and unmanly. Being labeled a fag is not a statement about sexuality, in fact, the boys in the study said they would not call a homosexual a fag as it would be rude. The students even claimed that they do not have a problem with gay people, this evidence supports the notion that the fag label is not about sexuality. Rather, the label is mechanism to define masculinity and keep the boys in the narrow confines of the label. Additionally, the label is transferrable, when a boy is called a fag he can transfer the label if he calls another boy a fag. This fluidity is what makes the specter of the fag label a powerful disciplinary tool (330) as it can be thrust upon someone without warning. When boys drop something, fail to perform at a physical task, if they dress differently then what is expected in their group, they could draw a fag label. Through fag discourse, boys establish the rules for what is masculine and what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior, anything that falls outside those established norms is subject to the fag …show more content…
The men described their perception of what men should be as dominate, in control, and tough. They spoke about how one cannot be viewed as a punk or they risk negative violent consequences from their peers. Additionally, they said men are strong and have a lot of women. Women are objectified in videos and other media and are treated as objects in public settings. Interestingly, the women were not offended by the treatment they received and even expected it saying, “that’s what men do”. Moreover, the degradation of women in the hip hop community is a symbol of control and independence. The behavior illustrated in the video was defined as psychic armor, which is the act of portraying a hypermasculine image that is strong and independent, compensating for the fragility of the
J. Pascoe researched high school students use of the label “fag” as a method of defining masculinity among teenage boys. Pascoe observed that being labeled a fag serves as a discourse that boys use to discipline each other though joking (330). A fag is an abject identity that represents being feminine and unmanly. Being labeled a fag is not a statement about sexuality, in fact, the boys in the study said they would not call a homosexual a fag as it would be rude. The students even claimed that they do not have a problem with gay people, this evidence supports the notion that the fag label is not about sexuality. Rather, the label is mechanism to define masculinity and keep the boys in the narrow confines of the label. Additionally, the label is transferrable, when a boy is called a fag he can transfer the label if he calls another boy a fag. This fluidity is what makes the specter of the fag label a powerful disciplinary tool (330) as it can be thrust upon someone without warning. When boys drop something, fail to perform at a physical task, if they dress differently then what is expected in their group, they could draw a fag label. Through fag discourse, boys establish the rules for what is masculine and what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior, anything that falls outside those established norms is subject to the fag …show more content…
The men described their perception of what men should be as dominate, in control, and tough. They spoke about how one cannot be viewed as a punk or they risk negative violent consequences from their peers. Additionally, they said men are strong and have a lot of women. Women are objectified in videos and other media and are treated as objects in public settings. Interestingly, the women were not offended by the treatment they received and even expected it saying, “that’s what men do”. Moreover, the degradation of women in the hip hop community is a symbol of control and independence. The behavior illustrated in the video was defined as psychic armor, which is the act of portraying a hypermasculine image that is strong and independent, compensating for the fragility of the