Less Manly?
Bravery, adventurousness, being able to think rationally, being strong and effective, for example, are all "manly" traits that are usually encouraged. So also are the ability to think independently and take the initiative. Media images supporting these behaviors include the strong, silent Marlboro man and military ads telling young men to "be all you can be." (Young women, on the other hand, are urged to pursue beauty and sex appeal.)
At the same time, males are discouraged from pursuing many positive traits that are perceived as unmanly. These include the ability to feel a range of emotions, including fear, hurt, confusion or despair. Even talking about these feelings is considered unmanly. Men are also not encouraged to learn to work cooperatively without the need for control, to love in a nonsexual way, to have friendships or to solve conflicts without violence. These narrow masculine standards can lead to discrimination against those who deviate from them. But they can also prevent men themselves from living up to their full potential as human beings.
TV perpetuates male stereotyping in two ways. Men in key "positive" character roles are portrayed chiefly with in a restricted range of male traits. "Less manly" characteristics are usually displayed by supporting characters, as flaws in the personality of the central character or as a source of humor or difficulty.
In watching television, we need to tune into how TV treats male characters, how we relate to the characters, and how these characterizations influence our ideas about masculinity and the real men of all ages who star in our own lives. Do we watch men on TV and feel unlike them and intimidated, or do we relate to them as real people, feel inspired and learn from them? The aware watcher can distinguish, and learn from, these reactions.
At the same time, males are discouraged from pursuing many positive traits that are perceived as unmanly. These include the ability to feel a range of emotions, including fear, hurt, confusion or despair. Even talking about these feelings is considered unmanly. Men are also not encouraged to learn to work cooperatively without the need for control, to love in a nonsexual way, to have friendships or to solve conflicts without violence. These narrow masculine standards can lead to discrimination against those who deviate from them. But they can also prevent men themselves from living up to their full potential as human beings.
TV perpetuates male stereotyping in two ways. Men in key "positive" character roles are portrayed chiefly with in a restricted range of male traits. "Less manly" characteristics are usually displayed by supporting characters, as flaws in the personality of the central character or as a source of humor or difficulty.
In watching television, we need to tune into how TV treats male characters, how we relate to the characters, and how these characterizations influence our ideas about masculinity and the real men of all ages who star in our own lives. Do we watch men on TV and feel unlike them and intimidated, or do we relate to them as real people, feel inspired and learn from them? The aware watcher can distinguish, and learn from, these reactions.
Photo credit:
https://paulthomasbelldotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/tumblr_m8ej1rwkaz1rx9nz2o1_500.jpg
http://crywithme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Crying-Man-420x340.jpg
http://38.media.tumblr.com/a465c4377664270a0d1b1ae45379f321/
tumblr_n04rynflff1t7s4syo1_500.jpg
http://justinboren.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Father-holding-baby-002.jpg
https://paulthomasbelldotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/tumblr_m8ej1rwkaz1rx9nz2o1_500.jpg
http://crywithme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Crying-Man-420x340.jpg
http://38.media.tumblr.com/a465c4377664270a0d1b1ae45379f321/
tumblr_n04rynflff1t7s4syo1_500.jpg
http://justinboren.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Father-holding-baby-002.jpg