Masculinity Essay Sample

Indeed, it is true “"the saddest, smallest, most shambling male still imagines that women will find him attractive." This arises from the treatment males receive since their childhood years. Research shows that, as young kids, boys are readily offered food when they cry. This is because the caregiver or the mother thinks that baby boys are hungrier and better feeders than girls. As a result, boys will be offered food when they cry, while girls will be soothed first before being offered food. From this subtle gestures, baby boys learn that they can get whatever they want with ease while the baby girls learn patience before they can get what they want.
Self-confidence in boys is boosted very easily from the attention they receive from their mothers. The attention that they receive is effortless and non-conditional. This is unlike the situation in girls whereby their self-confidence only develops when their fathers are appreciative and encouraging of their efforts. However, fathers rarely give such matters attention, and when they do, they demand objective verification of the daughter’s merit before giving their daughters the encouragement.
All these subtle gestures give males the self-confidence that women will find them attractive. It also makes them feel entitled to criticizing all aspects of women appearance. The process of culturing the masculinity in males is then carried over into schools, whereby they are taught “how to become men”. This induction is usually done by men. During this stage, deliberate efforts are made to streamline the boy into a masculine man. Young boys are encouraged to take part in team sports and get used to the rough and tumble. They are also encouraged to be hard, unflinching and belligerent when threatened. The process is meant to develop mental and physical strength in the men. Women connive in the process by encouraging their sons and their men to attack other men in their defense.
This further enforces the beliefs that by expressing masculine characteristics (like lack of emotion) women will always find them attractive. There is also the belief that success of men depends on the amount of respect they get from other men. This drives them to engage in activities which men consider respectable such as sports. For the men who lack imposing figures, they resort the use of humor, which will still earn the respect of the men whom they cannot emulate. In many instances, the man will try to win the respect of their fellow men because they believe all else will follow.
In retrospect, men have the self-confidence that they are attractive – no matter their physical states. This self-belief arises from the notion that they do not have to do much on their physical looks to be attractive; once other men find them respectable, women will find them attractive. Therefore, all efforts are expended in trying to win that respect. On the other hand, women are expected to be their best before they can gain approval. Although these notions are somewhat sexist and born of stereotypes, they still continue to persist in the present day society. The media are the biggest culprits in enforcing such notions. For example, TV shows, music, commercials and films associate money and good masculine physique with easy access to many beautiful females. This further enforces the belief that women will still find men attractive - as long they have the respect of other men.