Myths Of Masculinity

In this book, Joseph Pleck examines and analyzes the full body of research literature on the male role that has appeared since the 1930s and subjects it to a devastating critique. He identifies the components of the "male sex role paradigm" which has been the basis of research for the past forty years, and notes numerous instances of blatant misrepresentation of data, twisted reinterpretations of disconfirming results, misogyny, homophobia, and class bias. He proposes a new theory, the "sex role strain paradigm," offers a reinterpretation of sex role stereotyping, and a critique of research by sociobiologists that allegedly demonstrates a biological basis for male aggression.

Many myths surround male bodies and associated bodywork, especially when such bodywork is labelled culturally or socially atypical or 'problematic'. Bodybuilding, for example, has been explained in terms of gender inadequacy and an 'Adonis complex' akin to reverse anorexia, while men electing to undergo aesthetic cosmetic surgery are deemed 'too concerned' about their appearance and thus woman-like. Myths also discredit men and boys who do not engage in appropriate bodywork when this is expected. For instance, amidst public health concerns surrounding a so-called 'obesity epidemic', men and boys who resist physical activity and/or attempts to promote a 'healthy weight' are deemed ignorant, apathetic and in need of correction. Drawing on extensive field research conducted in North America and Britain over a twenty year period, this book challenges such masculine myth making. Mindful of a rich sociological tradition that seeks to understand the social world as lived and experienced, the authors provide insights that are likely to challenge common perceptions of various groups of men and boys, their diverse physical cultures, shared ways of being and identities. Presenting empirically grounded understandings of diverse bodily practices and discourses including bodybuilding, cosmetic surgery, dieting and nightclub security, Challenging Myths of Masculinity will appeal to scholars of sociology, geography and cultural studies, with interests in gender, embodiment and masculinities.

This book studies some important myths of masculinity in various popular genres, including the western, the horror film, rock music and pornography. The author argues that popular culture gives us highly complex and ambivalent images of men. The hero turns into the anti-hero; feminine and homoerotic material leak in; the male is often shown as the victim. Attention is also paid to important theoretical issues in gender studies and cultural studies, such as identification and the relation between subject and text.

Drawing on extensive field research conducted in North America and Britain over a twenty year period, this book challenges masculine myth making. Mindful of a rich sociological tradition that seeks to understand the social world as lived and experienced, the authors provide insights that are likely to challenge common perceptions of various groups of men and boys, their diverse physical cultures, shared ways of being and identities.

This book argues that masculine identity is in deep crisis in Western culture - the old forms are disintegrating, while men struggle to establish new relations with women and with each other. This book offers a fresh look at gender, particularly masculinity, by using material from the author's work as a psychotherapist. The book also considers the contrubtions made by feminism, sociology and anthropology to the study of gender, and suggests that it must be studied from an interdisciplinary standpoint. Masculity is seen to have economic, political and psychological roots, but the concrete development of gender must be traced in the relations of the male infant with his parents. Here the young boy has to separate from his mother, and his own proto-feminine identity, and identify with his father - but in Western culture fathering is often deficient. Male identity is shown to be fractured, fragile and truncated. Men are trained to be rational and violent, and to shut out whole areas of existence and feeling. Many stereotypes imprison men - particularly machismo, which is shown to be deeply masochistic and self-destructive.

Myth, Masculinity & Me By: David M. Martin In today’s gender revolution we often hear people identifying as “more or less masculine” or “more or less feminine.” But do we really know what masculinity is? Is it a concrete and definable category or something that is more ambiguous and mutable? In this book, the author takes the reader along with him on his personal journey exploring his relationship with and growing understanding of masculinity. Along the way the reader will hear about both healthy and unhealthy, or “toxic,” masculinity. The way is perilous and strewn with personal landmines and pathogenic beliefs inherited from culture, family and institutions. This book utilizes an archetypal and mytho-poetic framework to analyze, experience and form a new relationship to “masculinity” and the innermost self. Through the story of Peter Pan, the author analyzes archetypal masculinity from infancy through childhood. Next the author takes the reader through The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to discuss the major split most men face between their inner reality, exterior persona and the shadow that lurks behind them. Finally, the author takes a bold leap into the story of Beowulf to battle the dragons of cultural stereotypes, falsely imposed limitations and dangerous self beliefs that affect the individual, not just as a man, but as a human. This is one man’s story. It is about learning and taking responsibility for the kind of life we ultimately want to lead, as well as the kind of world we want to leave behind to those who follow.

Although images of women in the mass media have been widely discussed ln recent years, there is no equivalent analysis of men. Once again masculinity seems to have succeeded in passing itself off as universal and invisible. In this book, Antony Easthope argues that, far from being universal, the main tradition of masculinity in the West is both specific and peculiar. What is masculinity? Drawing up psychoanalysis and an understanding of ideology, Easthope shows how the masculine myth forces men to try to be masculine and only masculine, denying their feminine side. In an original contribution to the understanding of gender he analyzes masculinity as it is represented in a wide range of mass media--films, television, newspapers, pop music, and pulp novels. Why are two men in a John Wayne western more concerned with each other than with the women in their lives? Is aggressive male banter a sign that men hate or love each other? Why does a jealous man always have to see his rival? Written in lively, witty, and accessible style, this book is certain to become controversial but essential reading for a wide range of courses in popular culture, mass media, and cultural studies, as well as those in film study, literature, and sociology.--From back cover.