Manhood in America: a cultural history is a well acclaimed book written by Michael Scott kimmel. American sociologist, Michael is a specialist in gender studies and a distinguished academician who has written several books and journals. He teaches sociology in the stony brook university and has rendered his services as an expert to several other educational institutes. This paper intends to discuss the Michael Kimmel’s book, Manhood in America: a cultural history and other related aspects of the book.
Michael Kimmel, in his book gives an insight on the men, manhood and masculinity in the changed scenario. In chapter 10 of his book discusses that industrialization and modernization has affected the men and their masculinity. Several people related to small industries, shops and independent farmers. Author argues that white men faced strict competition from African American males as well as women as they entered into the territories that were restricted to me only. As women entered into sports military, aviation and almost all other sectors, men had to face severe competition from women.
Michael opines that in changing scenario, men are Men in order to prove themselves and to compete with others adopted other tactics to remain in the main role. Writer says that in present scenario income of middle class is decreasing and presenting various challenges in front of men to be a winner and earn for livelihoods. In such pressure men’s who follow the model of “self made men” faces anxiety, insecurity and stress. In present world women have equal rights; they want safety, security and choice. There are laws that deal with issues like rape, harassment, discrimination and violence. Black men also want solutions to the problems related with racism and unemployment. All these changes in structure and society received aggressive response from the white men. Men resist such changes; he does not welcome women equality especially in the fields’ likes military, sports and other men oriented field. Manhood emphasized upon strengths, power, sizes, and ability to hurt females.
Men still see their strengths in their wealth, big cars, expensive clothes and accessories. According to the author men still feel that their Manhood lies in big size of their wealth and physical strengths. According to Lee Atwater, the fullness or completeness does not come from prestige, wealth, and power. One may feel empty even after acquiring all these things in life. Men face various challenges and anxiety to prove his manhood which makes him hollow and empty. Flex Crush also mentioned about the changing attitude of men. The men are changing they eat fresh fruits and salad; they are now more focused on peace and harmony. Crush said that “we have become a nation of whiners”. People are running here and there; everyone is busy in improving their social and wealth status.
The responses of men towards manhood are mix; few resist social and structural changes while others establish their own definition of manhood by adjusting themselves in changing social era. Strategies that are focused on preserving masculinity by prohibiting the social changes seem to be failed. The men who resist such changes are especially white middle class men who achieved lot of things but still feel un-empowered. The middle class man in order to prove his masculinity become very anxious and restless which resulted in feeling of un-empowerment.
Reference
Kimmel, M. (1997). Manhood in America: A Cultural History. New York: Free Press.
