Category Archives: Healthy Masculinity

Healthy Masculinity

“Real Men” Stereotypes Pt. 3

There are a lot of “real men” stereotypes that not only describe how men are supposed to behave but also include what men are supposed to look like. The messages about what a man is supposed to look like tend to reinforce norms around strength and toughness. Popular examples include James Bond and Captain America. When a man in the media doesn’t fit into the “man box” definition of celebrated body types that is usually used for comedic relief. An example of this includes the actor Will Ferrell. The video below discusses how the media reinforces messages about masculinity and body types.

Conversation starter: What are some examples of media messages you have seen about what a “real man” is supposed to look like?

Allyship, Healthy Masculinity

Men being allies aka #checkyourboys

Men tend to listen to other men. Research illustrates that men care about and are influenced by what other men think, do and say. One aspect of #healthymasculinity that can be really hard is calling out other men who engage in behaviors that are disrespectful or aggressive. The video below shows how.

Conversation starter: The video illustrates a simple way men can be allies just by speaking up when something sexist or misoygnistic is being said. What is  an example of when you witnessed or have been a part of a situation when a group of guys checked their friends?

Gender Stereotypes, Healthy Masculinity

“Real Men” stereotypes  

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There are alot of qualities used to stereotypically describe men. This includes the expectation that men are strong, tough, unemotional and problem-solvers. Essentially “real men” stereotypes. These stereotypes are constantly reinforced within the media. This includes the ad below where a man is applauded for not wanting to hold his partner’s pink purse.

Interestingly research shows that MOST men do not personally agree with the “real men” stereotypes. However, they go along with the expected attitudes and behaviors because they think most other men endorse them. The truth is that most men support #healthmasculinity.

https://vimeo.com/31045713

Conversation starter: What are your thoughts about the ad and others like it that reinforce “real men” stereotypes?

Healthy Masculinity

Men who are “caring, kind and loving”

For many men (and women) their first model of masculinity is their dad. Sometimes fathers can be really positive role models and sometimes they can be very negative role models. In the video below boys and men share that their fathers were “caring, kind and loving“. This challenges the stereotypical assumption that men cannot be nurturing and compassionate. These fathers were definitely models of #healthymasculinity.

Conversation starter: In the video below boys and men share their thoughts about the word “father”. No matter your gender identity what role did your father play in how you think about masculinity?

 

Healthy Masculinity

Gender is everywhere

 Dr. Chris Kilmartin speaks about the fictions that shape men’s lives. One “guy fi” is “the gender belongs everywhere fiction”. Dr. Kilmartin illustrated in his talk that through socialization we receive messages about what is appropriate for men-as-a-group vs. women-as-a-group. Dr. Kilmartin states “that gender is everywhere, it is like the air”. The man box defines essentially all the behaviors that are appropriate for men-as-a-group. Gender stereotypes are used to define what it means to be a man related to a whole range of things including:

• What drinks we think are masculine

• What mannerisms we think are masculine

• What colors we think are masculine

• What ways of talking we think are masculine

• What social activities we think are masculine

• What life goals we think are masculine

Many individual men break these rules of masculinity but men-as-a-group are still strongly encouraged to follow these gender norms. Although the man box is everywhere we do not have to use it define everything regarding masculinity.

Conversation starter: 

Socially, what is an example of “guy fi” or gender stereotype that we once believed to be true that we no longer define as only masculine?