Double Standard Of Masculinity In Gender Role Socialization Essay

Masculinity is a topic that has been debated in our society extensively, through research as well as in informal settings. Many wonder what it means to be masculine, and if we can really assign a definition to such a subjective term. After all, shouldnt ones profess perception be the determinant of what constitutes masculinity? This self-construction would be the ideal in our society, but unfortunately, it represents a false belief. Masculinity has certain characteristics assigned to it by our culture. In this paper I will explore the many an(prenominal) facets of masculinity and demonstrate how certain beliefs pertaining to it ar perpetuated in our society. I will also uncover many of the contradictions between societys assigned definition of masculinity and the expectation that males will somehow learn how to act contrary to that assigned and learned meaning.Definition of Masculinity Men are primarily and secondarily socialized into believing certain characteristics are definit ive in determining their manliness and masculinity. These characteristics range from not crying when they get detriment to being and playing violently. The socialization of masculinity in our society begins as proto(prenominal) as the first stages of infancy. A childs burgeoning sense of self or self-concept is a result of the multitude of ideas, attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs to which he is exposed (Witt 1997). Later in this paper the question of whether there are genetic factors will be discussed. However, to further my melodic line at this point, I will discuss masculinity as it is socially defined. From the outset of a boys life he is socialized into the belief that he should be tough. Often when boys get hurt, scrape their knee, or come whimpering to their mother or father, the fated words, "Little boys dont cry", issue forth. Children internalize parental messages regarding gender at an early age, with awareness of adult sex role differences being found in two-ye ar-old children. One study found that children at two and a half eld of age use gender stereotypes in negotiating their world and are likely to generalize gender stereotypes to a variety of activities, objects, and occupations (Witt 1997). This legitimization teaches males that boys and men are not allowed to cry. thither also exists the belief that boys are often required to do mens work outside of the home such as mowing th... ...iographyBetcher, William R. et al. (1993) In a time of fallen Heroes. refreshing York, NY, Macmillan Publishing Company. Bowker, Lee H. (1998) Masculinities and Violence. Thousand Oaks, CA, Sage Publications, Inc.Buss, David. (1994) The Evolution of Desire. tonic York, NY, St. Martins Press, Inc. Gwartney, Debra. (October 17, 1998) "Double bind of boys concerns psychologists." Oregon Times.Katz, Jackson. (1995) "Advertising and the Construction of Violent White Masculinity" In Dines, Gail and Humez, Jean. (Eds.) Gender, Race and Class in Media. Thousand Oaks, CA, Sage Publications. Pollack, William. (1995) "Deconstructing Dis-identification Rethinking psychoanalytic Concepts of male development." Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. 12(1)30-45.Stearns, Peter N. (1990) Be A Man Males in Modern Society. unexampled York, NY, Holmes & Meier Publishers, Inc.Thompson, Neil. (1995) "Men and Anti-Sexism" British Journal of Social Work. 25(4)459-475.Witt, Susan D. (1997) "Parental influence on childrens socialization to gender roles." Adolescence. 32(126)253-257.Wrangham R. et al. (1997) Relationship Violence in Demonic Males. New York, NY, Routledge.