Masculinity as a concept is attributes, gender roles, and behaviors associated with being a boy or man. It is clear that there is pressure put on adolescent males to embody masculinity in all aspects of life. From playing on a sports team to dealing with bullies Kindlon and Thompson (2000) explain the urge a male feels to mask feminine traits. Perhaps it is because of the pressures of an androcentric society, but it is not shocking these traits are still viewed as less than. Due to the fact men and boys learn different gender roles that are not healthy they suffer. Masculinity connects to gender socialization due to boys lacking emotional literacy, and struggling with emotional intimacy.
Emotional literacy as defined by Kindlon & Thompson (2000) is the ability to read and understand emotions and those of others. Many boys are discouraged from developing these skills, therefore lacking the ability put a name to emotions, recognize expressions, and understand situations (Kindlon & Thompson, 2000). This is also connected to Kindlon & Thompson’s (2000) …show more content…
This is attributed to lacking because boys are encouraged to isolate themselves, and suppress feelings in order to appear strong. Even in a friendship between two heterosexual men there is a lack of trust according to Migliaccio (2009), and the friendship is based on how well they demonstrate masculinity in society. This also supports the “Traditional belief that men are less able and less interested than women in self- disclosing to others, constantly struggling to develop intimacy with friends and family” (Migliaccio, p.227, 2009). Without being able to build strong relationships with others humans, much is left to keep inside. If a man is able to build a relationship, it is often hard to maintain them without addressing and correcting behaviors ingrained since
Emotional literacy as defined by Kindlon & Thompson (2000) is the ability to read and understand emotions and those of others. Many boys are discouraged from developing these skills, therefore lacking the ability put a name to emotions, recognize expressions, and understand situations (Kindlon & Thompson, 2000). This is also connected to Kindlon & Thompson’s (2000) …show more content…
This is attributed to lacking because boys are encouraged to isolate themselves, and suppress feelings in order to appear strong. Even in a friendship between two heterosexual men there is a lack of trust according to Migliaccio (2009), and the friendship is based on how well they demonstrate masculinity in society. This also supports the “Traditional belief that men are less able and less interested than women in self- disclosing to others, constantly struggling to develop intimacy with friends and family” (Migliaccio, p.227, 2009). Without being able to build strong relationships with others humans, much is left to keep inside. If a man is able to build a relationship, it is often hard to maintain them without addressing and correcting behaviors ingrained since