Kimmel has managed to illustrate a critical point on society and masculinity. The idea that a “man” should always have a strong and countenance devoid of weak emotions like crying is valid to many societies today. Unconsciously, the society has become accustomed to the predictability of manhood that no one seems to focus on the emerging male stereotypes. As a male child grows, the family bestows on him certain levels of faith of manhood that synonymously coincides with the predictions of Kimmel. In my life as I grew up, for instance, my parents kept chiding any attempt of constant crying. Of course, they would jokingly make fun of my crying when my sister, slightly older than me, snatched my play items or intruded in my havens. As an adult, I realize the gravity with which other male children bear the struggle to conceal certain emotions they would rather release. As I grew up, I find a lot of correlation between Kimmel’s postulations and certain experience of aggression as well as the desire to prove my manhood.
Essentially, I have always looked at my future life in terms of providing for my family, having a lot of wealth, power and a great measure of status in my society. Another instance that become vital to expound on this idea dwells on an experience that I encountered when I was out with my girlfriend in the park. Accidentally, a snake had fallen from the tree where we did our secret bird watching-a pleasant hobby. I must admit that I have never loved snakes, dead or alive. Therefore, the fall, on my shirt came with a quick flight I can never do minus the adrenaline. I actually took to my heels pulling at my girlfriend who was not amused. Unlucky for me, she has no fear for snakes and actually studies them in her zoology classes. Later, she looked at me funnily as though suggesting that my fear was uncalled for. She actually felt that I had acted like a woman and should behave like a man incase such an event repeats itself. I therefore, feel that the society has bestowed on man the responsibility of becoming a pillar just as Kimmel asserts. My girlfriend here talks of a repeat of the situation when I do not wish to even remember the situation. In this case, my unreliability became an issue.
Another faction that polices the idea of masculinity is the men themselves. I will also agree with Kimmel in this because the men have already formed a conception from the societal construction. Whichever part of the world you go, the construction is similar. Instances of men “manning up” their peers are common in clubs and schools. The concept in these instances is often a focus on aggression. However, not all elements of this coercion is convincing. Man policing often depend on personality ideals within the strings of friends one hangs. Inasmuch as the values become necessary, often, cases emerge where friends are able to find a consolation in certain factors. Generally, the ideas of manhood and male friendship are critical, and are often given a little attention when ideally, they are as vital as feminism.
Reference
Kimmel, Michael. Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men. New York: American Management Association, 2010. Web. Url. http://www.drury.edu/genderequity/pdf/BrosBeforeHos.pdf. Retrieved on 7, May, 2013
