The concept of masculinity involves the question behind what really makes up a man. The society has made it possible for different concepts of labeling that intend to develop the manner of understanding masculinity under the existence of particular elements including being able to face up to the challenges of gender stereotyping that controls a huge part of the world population both hen and now. In the writing of Michael Kimmel entitled Guyland: the Perilous World Where Boys Become Men, the author discusses the most common points of pressure that boys need to deal with as they enter the world of becoming men. These points are noted as follows:
(1) One of such pressures is social labeling. Social labeling is the way people follow the society’s dictation on how they should recognize a particular group of people or particular individuals at that.
This distinctively intend to make sure that the boys choose specific hobbies, develop particular behaviors and create specific options that would be most related to their male-being. For instance, boys who choose to play with dolls are immediately assumed as gays or likely going through the confusion of whether or not they are to take on the challenge of developing boyhood. Nevertheless, psychological theories intend to point out that the choice of toys hat boys or girls pick an early age need not be used as a labeling element that would determine their being in the future. There are instances when boys are attracted to dolls because they are more human like. Seeing others being mimicked in dolls makes it easier for them to relate to the said toys than other types of toys. Notably, it could be understood that this psychological fact is not completely accepted by the society today. Even the modern world continues to embrace the old ways of understanding social labeling of genders even among youngsters as they embrace the years of development.
(2) Another pressure to face is the concept of gender stereotyping which likely affects older boys as they enter the phase of early adulthood. This pressure insists on how individuals are expected to act according to their gender and not according to their personal preferences.
Most of the time, the choice of career they take into account are used on how they are notably recognized in the communities they are existing with. Distinctively, people have become more interested in knowing what one takes on as a career that specifically identifies well with their gender. Nevertheless, the changes in economic status and the development of excellence in developing particular skills have created a distinct change on how masculinity is particularly branded alongside the concept of career choice.
(3) Fatherhood is another aspect that affects the ideal recognition of masculinity that most boys get confused about. With misunderstood acceptance of sexual relations and the supposed separation it has from fatherhood, young men feel that they are in need of having promiscuous sexual relations with their peers to prove their manhood without thinking of the consequences, practically making them a stud.
Instead of looking at most of their relationship with the opposite sex as something that has to be handled with great responsibility, most boys follow the idea of acting promiscuously towards their partners and being able to mandate their own actions towards sexual decisions make them more of a man than a young boy who does not know what he wants. Through many years of research and observation, it has been proven that this concept of masculinity largely affects the development of issues related to premarital sex which includes early pregnancy and absentee-fathers. The wrong perception about fatherhood has lead boys into the wrong notion of proving their capacity to become a father apart from the responsibilities that come along with it.
(5) At some point, being masculine is related to the capacity of a boy to take on larger challenges without fear. This is often misguided especially among young boys who are challenged by their peers to take on tasks that are against the common situations just to prove that they can do anything to prove their men.
Although in an overall context, this s supposed to have a positive nature, the reality of the situation that develops from it often bites the ones who get involved in the wrong interpretation of such concept. Boys fail to understand that being a man means a lot more than being proven strong and brave. For instance, proving themselves responsible often comes along with the desire to support others. Having the natural instinct of leadership, boys often confuse leadership with the idea of controlling others with full authoritative direction; this then results to the creation of destructive friendships which often lead to one being influential and the others becoming the primary followers, often oppressed and belittled.
Along with this, the play-out of being the leader of the pact has affected so many young boys as they seek to embrace the realities of being a man. Governed by impulsive thinking, these young individuals often dive into situations that they think would prove them fearless and brave. Nevertheless, not having the right attitude nor the right knowledge about the things that they are embracing, it could be understood that people have become more connected to what is accepted as normal and evidently supportive of what actually makes a man.
Nonetheless, serving as the protector of his own family or those who are close to him, some boys take on a better concept of understanding masculinity. With proper education and guidance, there are some young men who are actually able to embrace the reality of their being without necessarily being disturbed by neither social stereotyping nor the social requirements of being a man. There are some who are able to embrace the realities of life without having to go through the confusions of what makes masculinity an important aspect of becoming a real man.
Works Cited:
Kimmel, Michael. Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men. https://blackboard.csusb.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-751443-dt-content-rid-8090626_1/courses/144eng10706/Masculinity_as_Homophobia.pdf. Retrieved on June 3, 2014.
Beynon, John (2002). "Chapter 4: Masculinities and the notion of 'crisis'". Masculinities and culture. Philadelphia: Open University Press. pp. 86–89.
MacInnes, John (1998). The end of masculinity: the confusion of sexual genesis and sexual difference in modern society. Philadelphia: Open University Press. p. 11.
