In Michael Kimmel’s publication on the study of masculinity for the International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences, he affirms his belief that institutions create gender differences. What Kimmel means by this statement is that employers in various institutions often expect behaviors that can gender the employee automatically as a man, such as not having family responsibilities and having single-minded devotion to their job. He goes on to mention the view of sociologist Joan Acker, who considers that this structuring of the workplace can leave room for inequality between men and women. This might explain why, in Man Enough Episode 4 – #MeToo, entrepreneur Karen Alston was pressured into being in a relationship with her boss in exchange for a promotion.
Kimmel also comments that: “Understanding how we do masculinities […] opens up the unimaginable possibilities of social change.” He pluralizes masculinity because he believes that the variations of gender are so large across different cultures that we cannot speak of only one type of masculinity. He states that that gender ought to be viewed as a continuously changing aggregation of meanings and behaviors; therefore masculinities is more fitting. In the fourth episode of Man Enough, many of the men discuss that they live their masculinity differently. For instance, entrepreneur and former professional athlete Lewis Howes mentions how his behavior is often not seen as being masculine by those around him. He is an affectionate man who establishes physical contact with others and likes to give hugs. He recalls the time he put his hand on his friend’s shoulder, but was stopped and was told: ”Don’t be gay.” Additionally, it could be said that this whole episode displays a behavior that is often not attributed to manliness: sitting around a table and talking about your worries and life experiences!
Some institutions encourage the thought of gender difference and gender order. A primary example is the music industry, specifically rappers. More and more rappers are releasing music with lyrics that are demeaning to women. As said in the documentary, a majority of men objectify women. Unfortunately, this mindset has been embedded into many societies. Many women who have been victims of abuse or harassment are scared to open up because they feel as though no one will believe them. Susan Brison was attacked by a man and was not believed when she told other people what happened. They just told her she must have been hit by a car. With many institutions having this type of mindset, it seems as though the violent actions and objectification of women is being condoned instead of being condemned.
In Kimmel’s article, he goes into depth about plural masculinities. This term is used to demonstrate that different groups in society define masculinity differently. He prefers using this word since there is not one fixed definition that fits everyone’s beliefs. Kimmel’s four main arguments are: “masculinities vary across cultures” (1), “definitions of masculinity vary considerably in any one country over time” (1), “definitions of masculinity change over the course of a person’s life” (2), “the meanings of masculinity vary considerably within any given society at any one time.” (2) In the documentary, the cast members explain how in America’s society, men are raised to be the strong ones. They are taught that the only tolerable emotion to show is anger and trained to be the protectors of the family. Although most people do associate this to masculinity, Justin Baldoni and Lewis Howes express the importance of being able to open up and understand people. We see in their reflection that over time their perspectives of masculinity changes based on their past experiences and things they have witnessed.
Michael Kimmel states that gender is a social construct whereas one is born with sex, for this is biological. Kimmel further indicates that gender is conditioned by one’s environment, and that it is a product of our daily interactions. Certain institutions propagate the classical view of masculinity that encompasses all or any of the characteristics that were written of in Blog 3. Man Enough Episode 4, #MeToo, refers to the entertainment business being a vehicle for the message of classical masculinity. As Scooter Braun says, “We glorify the idea of crossing the line. We’ve made it, you know, you come into the entertainment business, fast cars, fast women”. As he points out, this ideology is built upon the objectification of women, as items to obtain once one gets into the entertainment business. Furthermore, the institution of society and the justice system perpetuate the classical view of masculinity and the objectification of women. As Yazmin Watkins remarks, “I think the culture that we live in allows for this sort of behaviour and I don’t think people are supported when they do come forward “. Furthermore Susan Brison furthers this point when she tells how people did not believe that she had been attacked by a man, and thought instead that she was hit by a car, when she was in fact brutally attacked by a man.
Kimmel prefers to use the term ‘masculinities’ rather than singular ‘masculinity’ because he feels that there are different varieties of masculinity, thus the characteristics he outlines. In Man Enough Episode 4, #MeToo, Justin Baldoni indicates to Susan Brison that boys are taught to be the protector. This is indeed one characteristic of masculinity. Susan Brison argues that this is part of the problem because women should be taught to defend themselves instead of relying on men. All of the men at the table have had completely different experiences, they simply do not fit under the same umbrella of maculinity. Furthermore, Michael Kimmel claims that the only factor that remains constant in masculinities is anti-femininity, and masculinities can be of wide variety, changing across time periods, in a state of flux, as long as they include anti-femininity.
By stating that “institutions accomplish the creation of gender difference and the reproduction of the gender order through several gendered processes” (Kimmel, 3), the author is trying to imply that people are attempting to make big moves involving gender equality. For example, gender neutral bathrooms, and genderless jobs. In correlation to Man Enough, the topic “men and women cannot be just friends” arises. If two men and/or two women strangers have the right to go to the bathroom, the rules should be for a man and a woman.
The reasoning behind the use of the term masculinities in the phrase “understanding how we do masculinities, then, requires that we make visible the performative elements of identity, and also the audience for those performances” (Kimmel, 4) is because it is in fact, the plural form of it. The author uses this term instead because its definition is not stabilized. It changes over the course of a person’s life. For instance, on Man Enough, many boys follow the “guy code” and consider that as being masculine. However, some men realize how ignorant this “guy code” is so they change their behaviour later on.
Also, “there are different forms of masculinities across the different cultures. Some cultures encourage men to be stoic while for other cultures, it is simply based on civic participation.” The definition for masculinities change over time. For example, its meaning is different today as to its meaning in the 17th century. “Masculinities also changes over the course of a mans life”. Certain experiences and milestones shape a man.
Lebron James is a professional basketball player for the LA Lakers. He has many accomplishments like receiving NBA championships, NBA MVP awards and many others. He even built a school in his hometown. His qualities includes leadership,hardworking and courageous.With his talent for basketball, Lebron James was the first player to be picked for the 2003 NBA Draft straight out of high school. The Cleveland Cavaliers signed him to join their team.Outside of the NBA, he established the “LeBron James Family Foundation” in 2004 to help out children and single-parent families in need.Kilmartin Smiler in their textbook The Masculine Self, men are expected to be task-oriented,they are supposed to hide their own fears and weaknesses. Lebron James does the opposite by being inspirational towards his fans and loving his family even if he looks like a “tough guy” on the outside.Brannon’s Themes of masculinity in terms of status and achievement fits when describing Lebron’s status and achievements of since he became known and successful in the NBA.
The theme of masculinity that was assigned to me was aggressiveness. Masculinity is a theme that represents willingness to take physical risks and become violent if necessary, to have access to something or to get something that they can’t get without being tough. In most cases, masculinity would always get comments like “don’t be feminine, be tough, gain power”. I picked tom in tom and jerry since it is a perfect example of someone aggressive.
Tom and Jerry was an animated series created in 1940 during the golden age ofAmerican animation, which started in 1928. Tom and Jerry is based on a slapstick comedy. Tom in this series represents aggressiveness since he would always use power whenever he would get pissed by jerry. Tom wouldn’t be able to catch jerry so he would get upset whenever he sees him again and the only thing, he had in mind was to use force and power to catch him but he would never be able so he would always try again and again. Masculinity is the same thing, once u can use power, you always want to use it since you that you can get way more with power.
Harry Styles was born on February 1st 1994 and gained fame through his former band One Direction. He’s been a prominent figure in the music industry for the last decade, having set records with his group thanks to their immense following.
I think he’s a perfect counter example of anti femininity. In the text, it is said that boys are taught to avoid “feminine” behaviours or interests as well as avoiding showing signs of emotion to appear “weak”. Harry Styles has been praised time and time again for being so bold when it comes to his fashion choices. He’ll wear clothing that doesn’t traditionally appear to be “for men” but rather something that he feels comfortable in that expresses what he’d like to show. He’s also stated in the past that his fashion inspiration is actually Shania Twain.
He’s very in touch with both his masculine and feminine sides which make him overflow with confidence onstage and offstage.
Additionally, he does not shy away from talking about his feelings. He’s a very open man and speaks highly of his female audience in interviews. He’s an open advocate for the LGBT community and usually picks up a few flags and will wave them around onstage during his tours.
Harry Styles strays away from a “normal” man’s man and follows his desires. His fearlessness in being authentic is what makes him so lovely. Again, this is why he is a wonderful example of anti femininity.
A good example of a successful man in his status and achievement is my inspirational man “The Lord Steven Smith Baden Powell ” .
Robert Baden-Powell (1857-1941) was a military officer who helped protect Britain’s imperial empire for over 30 years. He was especially talented in military scouting. Baden-Powell was a prolific writer who often chose his military experiences as the subjects of his works. He is best known for starting a worldwide scouting movement.
Robert Baden-Powell was born Robert Stephenson Smyth Powell on February 22, 1857 in his parents’ house in London, England. His father, Professor H.G. Baden Powell was a vicar and a professor of natural science. His mother, Henrietta Smyth, was Professor Baden Powell’s third wife. The couple had seven living children together, of whom Robert was the fifth, and they also raised three children from the vicar’s previous marriage. Baden-Powell’s father died just after his last child was born, when Robert was only three years old. In 1869 Henrietta changed the family name to Baden-Powell out of respect for her late husband.
Mrs. Baden-Powell educated her children in the outdoors. Through long walks in the country, she taught them about plants and animals. They were also allowed to read books from their father’s collection on natural history. Baden-Powell’s formal education started with a Dame’s School in Kensington Square. In 1868 he attended the Rose Hill School in Tunbridge Wells, where his father was also educated. Two years later he won a scholarship to the Charterhouse School in London. In 1872 the school moved to Godalming, which was surrounded by woodlands known as “The Copse.” The wilderness was an important part of Baden-Powell’s childhood experience. As a schoolboy, he did not excel either academically or athletically. He was mainly interested in the outdoors and theater.
It was during this last appointment that Baden-Powell really began to develop his ideas about the scouting movement. In 1904 he attended the Annual Drill Inspection and Review of the Boys Brigade in Glasgow, where the founder, William Smith, had recruited over 54,000 boys. Smith had asked Baden-Powell to rewrite his book Aids to Scouting for a younger audience. According to Michael Rosenthal in The Character Factory, this gave Baden-Powell “the vision of a British society made strong by legions of well-disciplined, morally upright, patriotic youth who found their satisfaction in defending the interests of the empire and following the orders of their superiors.”
Since Baden-Powell was still occupied as inspector general of the cavalry, it took a few years to put his ideas into action. In 1906 he wrote a short paper called “Scouting for Boys,” where he put some of his ideas into print. His vision for scouting was strongly influenced by three of his contemporaries, William Smith, Ernest Thompson Seton, and Dan Beard. Seton and Beard had started similar youth organizations in the United States. This small paper turned into a six-part series called Scouting for Boys, which was published between January and March of 1908. The series included the first publication of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. This series then led to an official weekly magazine, called The Scout, which increased the visibility and appeal of the scouting movement in the public’s eye.
In the summer of 1907 Baden-Powell acted upon his ideas and ran a demonstration camp for boys on Brownsea Island off the coast of Dorset. Twenty-two boys, from ages 10 to 17, took part in the weeklong exercise, which consisted of camping, cooking, tracking, singing, and storytelling. This was the beginning of what was called “unquestionably the most significant youth movement of the twentieth century ” in Michael Rosenthal’s The Character Factory.
Brannon’s Themes of masculinity in terms of status and achievement do fit when describing the contribution ,rank and achievement of Lord Baden Powell because Baden Powell was a successful man in his achievements and his major achievement is creating the first and the most important youth organization in the world , his achievement of founding this amazing educational movement that educate millions of youth around the world , and the fact that the system of the scout is similar to the system of military is very unique to Baden Powell .
Even if Baden Powell had passed away but still his achievement and contribution remaining to remind us of his rank and importance work and dedication to the education of youths.
Baden Powell wrote a lot of books that we still relay on it in the education and progression of our youth in the scout and those books are:
Baden-Powell was regarded as an excellent storyteller. During his whole life he told “ripping yarns” to audiences. After having published Scouting for Boys, Baden-Powell kept on writing more handbooks and educative materials for all Scouts, as well as directives for Scout Leaders. In his later years, he also wrote about the Scout movement and his ideas for its future. He spent most of the last two years of his life in Africa, and many of his later books had African themes.[11]
Throughout history it was always typical that men have more rights than women, higher positions, higher salaries, were almost always for men. But as times went by, women were slowly starting to be heard more, but it still wasn’t enough. There were still people who were old minded believing in the same old principals that men should always have the higher hand in everything.
First-wave feminism was a period of activity during the 19th and early-20th centuries, women started fighter harder and stronger for equal rights. Since then they have been heard more, people from every position have started supporting them, even some presidents claimed to support the act like Barack Obama. His support of this claim gave women more opportunities to spread their message around America and even to the world.
But since he resided from his position as a president, Trump being a stereotypical anti-feminist has taken his place. When he was asked about supporting feminism, he simply said that to be with women is to be against men. In addition to that, there were many interviews of him trashing women and calling them inappropriate words. He also has been accused by several women of sexual misconduct which he hasn’t been interrogated about since he is of course the president of the united states, meaning that he still has the upper hand in everything he does.
But in opposition to him, a lot of women didn’t vote for him and have continued fighting for their rights. Which, in my opinion, have succeeded in shutting his views in women and letting them do what they want because he knows that if he tries to do something to stop them, they, among men and even other countries, will not let him do that without fighting their hardest.
“Stoick the vast” is a main character from the movie series How to train your dragon. Captain of his village, Stoick feels the need to stay as strong and fearless as possible. As described by Kimmel in his text, a man shouldn’t demand for help when faced with an issue (Kimmel, 5). This statement is closely linked with Stoick’s everyday life in that he must never be unsure about a certain situation, ensuring that his village stays calm. While he loves his son deeply, Stoick struggles to accept his son’s friendship with a certain dragon. Seeing his son become affectionate with the dragon, Stoick believes his son is “too weak” to be a viking. While re-reading through Kimmel’s definition of inexpressiveness and independence, I felt as though Stoick was being described word for word. Specifically where he says, “Men should be strong, sturdy, independent, and in control of themselves” (Kimmel, 5). Stoick is simply the perfect example of Kimmel’s claims, he is big, powerful, fearless and stubborn. Being close minded definitely helps stoick fit Kimmel’s mold of independence. His stubbornness allows him to look and feel in control, even in the most stressful situations. Having lots of responsibilities as the captain of his village means he must never flinch. When his ideas are challenged by others, Stoick erupts in the only emotion he is not capable of hiding, anger. When he loses control, Stoick turns to coercion and fear to get his point through… As his name suggests, “Stoick the vast” is a hard headed man who believes in himself more than anyone else. He can only do things on his own and refuses help from others. Stoick is a great example of what Kimmel calls inexpressiveness and independence.
Lovers and Fighters | Section 22 