This research paper seeks to understand how the ways in which men are socialized correspond with society’s negative views on femininity. Considerable research has been done on this subject, most notably in the field of how socialized masculinity can lead to the objectification and eventual sexual assault of women. Two notable documentaries which discuss this phenomenon are The Mask You Live In, which discusses how men are socialized to strive for impossible standards of masculinity and The Hunting Ground, which discusses the retaliation and harassment that many people face after reporting campus sexual assaults. Both of these documentaries, coupled with essays from the textbook Canadian Perspectives on Men & Masculinity, provide a multitude
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These men will typically take part in name calling when their sons lose, by using degrading words toward them such as “wimp” and “loser”. Expressions such as “throwing like a girl” are also common, which contributes to a culture which degrades all things feminine which typically leads to misogyny and homophobia (Landsberg, 2012). Canada has a national identity which is centered around masculinity due to the success of sports in Canada, particularly hockey. This drives many Canadians to place athletic ability on a pedestal and further perpetuates the idea that to be a man is to participate in sport and athleticism (Bridel, …show more content…
These elements often include restricting one’s emotions, showing toughness, striving for a high status in society, engaging in homophobia, and avoiding all things feminine (DeKeseredy, 2012). Avoiding femininity also includes avoiding homosexuality. This leads men to avoid being affectionate with each other and adds to their emotional isolation (L’Heureux, 2012). Among the other elements listed, suppressing one’s emotions plays a particularly key role in fostering a sense masculinity in men that is harmful to society. Men are socialized to suppress emotions from a young age and in doing so, seek other outlets for their negativity. Alcohol and video games, often of a violent nature, are common outlets among teenage boys but can elicit aggressive reactions. These outlets, plus the suppressed negativity has lead to a culture of anger and aggressiveness amongst men which often leads to
These men will typically take part in name calling when their sons lose, by using degrading words toward them such as “wimp” and “loser”. Expressions such as “throwing like a girl” are also common, which contributes to a culture which degrades all things feminine which typically leads to misogyny and homophobia (Landsberg, 2012). Canada has a national identity which is centered around masculinity due to the success of sports in Canada, particularly hockey. This drives many Canadians to place athletic ability on a pedestal and further perpetuates the idea that to be a man is to participate in sport and athleticism (Bridel, …show more content…
These elements often include restricting one’s emotions, showing toughness, striving for a high status in society, engaging in homophobia, and avoiding all things feminine (DeKeseredy, 2012). Avoiding femininity also includes avoiding homosexuality. This leads men to avoid being affectionate with each other and adds to their emotional isolation (L’Heureux, 2012). Among the other elements listed, suppressing one’s emotions plays a particularly key role in fostering a sense masculinity in men that is harmful to society. Men are socialized to suppress emotions from a young age and in doing so, seek other outlets for their negativity. Alcohol and video games, often of a violent nature, are common outlets among teenage boys but can elicit aggressive reactions. These outlets, plus the suppressed negativity has lead to a culture of anger and aggressiveness amongst men which often leads to