There are a few characteristics in the US that keep men confined to the “man box” while also encouraging young men to become Intimate Terrorists. Namely, men are revered for their sexual conquests, the degree to which they value women, and the degree to which they embrace traditional “macho” roles.
First, men in the US are still perceived as “studs”, based upon their number of sexual conquests with different men. This behavior is emulated by young men, who feel that it is not only acceptable, but that numerous sexual encounters earn him respect in the men’s clique. Thus, these young men, who follow the lead of society-at-large are, in actuality, being encouraged to become intimate terrorists (Porter). Thus, they have no consideration or respect for the women who are merely “notches in their belts”.
Secondly, it is common for men in the US to objectify women through pornography, advertising, and other forms of media – both in print and on the internet. Thus, American men who can devalue a woman without valuing her as a person, are quite common -- even in an advanced culture such as the US. Accordingly, young men, due to the fact that commerce objectifies women, are exposed to these less-than-subtle messages about the value of women on a daily basis. Thus, these men become desensitized, and end up in the “man box”, acting out ignoble attitudes towards women.
Lastly, the “man box” tends to spotlight those men who have traditional “macho” roles in society, such as athletes, construction workers, executives, and politicians. The “man box”, in effect, narrows what American culture accepts as “manly” (Porter). For example, there are few male hair stylists, poets, and interior decorators because the “man box” does not define those roles as acceptable masculine occupations. Young men, in turn, are influenced heavily by the “man box” in terms of their career choices as well. Thus, the career choices available to young American men are already pre-defined by the socialization of men as being masculine or feminine. In effect, young men have few choices outside of the box, choices that allow them to be free.
Works Cited
Porter, Tony. “Tony Porter: A Call to Men.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, Dec. 2010. Web. 23 May, 2016.
