Double Standard Of Masculinity In Gender Role Socialization Essay

Masculinity is a topic that has been debated in our troupe extensively, through research as well as in slack settings. Many wonder what it means to be masculine, and if we can really condition a definition to such a subjective term. After all, shouldnt ones make 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 facets of masculinity and demonstrate how certain beliefs pertaining to it are perpetuated in our society. I will to a fault uncover many of the contradictions between societys assigned definition of masculinity and the expectancy that males will somehow learn how to act contrary to that assigned and in condition(p) meaning.Definition of Masculinity Men are primarily and secondarily socialized into believe certain characteristics are definitive in determining their manliness and masculinity. These characteristics invest from not crying when they get hurt to being and playing violently. The culture of masculinity in our society begins as early as the premier stages of infancy. A childs burgeoning sense of self or self-concept is a result of the mess of ideas, attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs to which he is exposed (Witt 1997). Later in this paper the question of whether on that point are genetic factors will be discussed. However, to further my argu handst at this point, I will discuss masculinity as it is socially defined. From the rise 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 ordain 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 arrange in two-year-old children . One study found that children at two and a half years of age use gender stereotypes in negotiating their foundation 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. There also exists the belief that boys are a lot 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. new-sprung(prenominal) York, NY, Macmillan Publishing Company. Bowker, Lee H. (1998) Masculinities and Violence. cat valium Oaks, CA, Sage Publications, Inc.Buss, David. (1994) The Evolution of Desire. New York, NY, St. Martins Press, Inc. Gwartney, Debra. (October 17, 1998) "Double bind of boys concerns psychologists." Oregon Times.Katz, Jackson. (1995) " announce and the Construction of Violent White Masculinity" In Dines, Gail and Humez, Jean. (Eds.) Gender, Race and mani kin 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, instrument N. (1990) Be A Man Males in Modern Society. New York, NY, Holmes & axerophthol 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.