Guyland: The Supreme Patterns Of Manhood

The texts “Manhood,” by John Wain and “How Not to Get Into College,” by Alfie Kohn illustrate similarities and differences that are directly related to the lives of people in today’s society. Both texts represent the idea of rigid social expectations challenging people to re-evaluate their perspectives on intrinsic happiness and to live up to others’ standards in order to gain approval of happiness, resulting in extrinsic happiness. In “Manhood”, the rigid social expectations are portrayed thorough the relationship between father and son and in “How Not to Get into college” they are portrayed through the scenarios of students.

They also expressed that, while they know it is quite common, they hoped for themselves to be living with a partner or in apartment on their own once they were over the age of 30 if they could not live in a home of their own. It was at this point that I began to see that the ideals of centuries past continue to be relevant within our modern context. However, the autonomy to choose the timing of attainment is fundamental to becoming an independent adult. My respondents, therefore, supported previous literature which suggests that conventional transitions to adulthood are occurring but at rather delayed and individualistic rates. But where does this delay come

In Guyland, Michael Kimmel chronicles the journey of young males and the issues they face while trying to exert their masculinity and prove themselves to their peers. Based on interactions among North American males between the ages of 16 and 26, Kimmel has found that at an age where young men had previously prepped for a life of work and committed relationships, they are now living in “Guyland” where they spend their time drinking, playing video games, and having immature relations with women. Kimmel explains that these young men are “frighteningly dependent on peer culture” and “desperate to prove their masculinity in the eyes of other boys.” (30) These young men live in constant fear that they will not measure up to the ideals of

The author's main line of reasoning seems to be directed towards the twenty-year-old men-children of today. The article classifies this phenomenon as an “extended adolescence” and without much thought the article seems to cast young men into the role of Peter Pan or one of the Lost Boys. Hymowitz states that it was fairly recently that the average twenty-year-old American male achieved everything that an adult would want to achieve, like for example education, money, and a family to name a few things. She then restates her opinion on how the twenty-year-old men of today are stuck in some sort of adolescent purgatory. I feel that Hymowitz completely misses the mark with her reasoning when it comes to a great deal of her points. One of the points that she uses is the illusion that such hobbies as video games and Star Wars are the catalyst of blame for this said childlike behavior and that this form of entertainment should be categorized as immature. I guess a majority of men missed the memo that adulthood can only be defined in jobs and babies. Hymowitz goes on to accuse single men of never being “civilization's most responsible actors” and that single men continue to be less successful than that of their married counterparts. Is is because of Hymowitz's one-sided approach that I cannot buy into her line of

In this article, the author explains why it is difficult to find the idealist man in today’s society. This piece was written by Kay S. Hymowitz and published in the Wall Street Journal on February 2011. The purpose of this essay is to inform women about “where the good men have gone”, due to the fact they are all becoming “guys” instead of men. When Hymowitz states this, she is referring to a stage between a boy and a man. The author provides evidence telling how men in their twenties have decreased and the amount of “guys” have increased over a period of time. Also, this article could strike up conversation about how the economy has changed by the increase in female roles and decrease in male roles.

In “Manhood: The Elusive Goal”, Mark Gerzon argues that masculinity, or the "masculine code of conduct" is exemplified by smoking, drinking, and violence- acts that would be generally frowned upon in society. Mark Gerzon, attended Harvard University and was considered to be a best selling author by his senior year, due to his book "The Whole World is Watching: A Young Man Looks at Youth Dissent". Gerzon generally writes about topics dealing with men and masculinity in regard to modern day society. In "Manhood: The Elusive Goal", Gerzon reflects back on his own personal experience during his adolescent years, and how he wasn't considered to be masculine enough since he

In the chapter Girls in Guyland: Eyes on the Guys, Kimmel implies that girls play a significant role in the world of boys (Kimmel 245). As a female, I fully understand that we influence guys’ behaviors and help continue the distasteful behavior. Kimmel states that, “ Girls are necessary to Guyland. They enable us, legitimate guys’ behaviors, normalize it, and machete seem natural…” (Kimmel 245).

In today’s society, masculinity has changed throughout time. Fast forward one hundred years ago, masculinity is defined as being strong and having a good paying job. But as the world is changing so is the representation of manliness. You don’t have to show your dominance over men or women today, but you should support your family nowadays and we have all been brainwashed by the thought of masculinity from our ancestors. As men our reputation is always being valued but now it isn’t so much about our reputation but about caring for one another and especially for our families. Perspective of manhood is also a significant factor in portraying what masculinity is in the eyes of other people. Masculinity has been shown through money, appearance, and providing protection for your family members but as we shift into the modern world, masculinity is not seen as displaying the most discipline but caring for one another by taking out some of your time to help one another. Throughout the paper, I will be writing about my interviews from a broad spectrum of ages from one of my younger sisters to my dad with not friends not at Seb’s in between so I can get what it really means to be a man from all ages.

Anthony Rotundo, in “Male Youth Culture”, describes the transition from youth to manhood as a confusing and difficult period. Male youth are often torn between wanting to become more independent, and wanting the comfort and relief of a home and a family. As a result, men often form organizations that support them as they grow into men. Horatio Alger’s “Ragged Dick,” parallels many of Rotundo’s comments through the early life of Ragged Dick and his quest towards respectability and manhood. This quest is the same that millions of young American men have confronted in their lives as they step away from their boyish past and look to their futures. Ragged Dick grows into a respectable man through the support of his community, his “family”, and his

In society men are defined by what they do, and how they act in different situations. Some men are mature and take on the responsibility of supporting a family, and having a career. Other men are content being single, and having a carefree lifestyle. One instance is discussed by Kay S. Hymowitz, author of “Child-Man in the Promise Land.” She believes that single young men (SYM) are lazy, immature, and have a fear of becoming a man, they are the epitome of the child-man.

What makes a man, a “man”? Is it how much money he makes? The car he drives? The life he lives? Or, the amount of “Masculinity” that he shows? These are some of the stereotypical question that becomes the ideas of what men should have or strive to achieve. In Post-Princess Models of Gender: The New Man in Disney/Pixar by Ken Gillam and Shannon R. Wooden, they bring forth the ideas/thought of what the characteristic of men should be, by the overly influential control Disney and Pixar have on us and our future generation. Similar to what Matthew Immergut, in his article Manscaping: The Tangle of Nature, Culture and the Male Body, they both share ideas on the thought of man. The argument addressed in the question is either the way we view masculinity should be changed or not to determine us as men. In which the answer is, yes it should. Male or man, is a gender identity which show/ categorize, us separate from our female counterpart, Female or woman. But then are criticized on their place a “males” by getting in situation the emasculate them. Just because men independent or allowing for help, either overly sensitive or possess a lack of emotion, or whether or not “he” shaves his body or not should deter what the worlds thought on his masculinity

Most men started attending universities after their elementary education was completed around the ages of 14-16. The students bonded while living together and being around one another so often. They would live in private housing together where one person would be in charge of the rent, making him the “master”. The men

Loyalty is a casualty of the Gaddafi regime in In the Country of Men. Discuss.

Hisham Matar’s narrative solely revolves around the perspective of a nine year-old boy Sulieman El Dewani, experiencing first hand an important time of Libya’s history. This crucial time in history was in Gidafi’s oppressive regime in 1979. In the text, In the Country of Men, family bonds within the Libyan society are somewhat the strongest though other relationships between the oppressed citizens of Libya and their totalitarian country and the relationship friends have with each other do prevail to be just as solid. The family bonds within this patriarchy society heavily display a sense of intimate love and compassion for one another. This relationship is deeply

Many individuals have always opted to believe that parents are the ones to decide upon children’s destinations in life, such as academic achievements, matrimony, and aspirations. It is a universally known feeling that parents want the best of everything for their kids; working to the best of their abilities can only provide a good foundation. For instance, if a mother is always encouraging her child to attend a specific university, it is because she assumes it will bring better intellect and higher achievements. Also, if the adolescent has their own goals and dreams that do not coordinate with a parent’s expectation, the father could rant about how it is a road to failure. Worst-case scenario, when a youth is dating a potential fiancé and has to have the parents confirm if the relationship is worth continuing. Justifiably, the majority of guardian’s trust that their children will wind up as effective adults and possibly attain greater success than they did themselves. Nevertheless, it is only righteousness to understand that coming generation is evolving to be more instinctive, unbound control, and choose their own journey. Thus, although the baby boomers and millennials both have the aspiration to change, their viewpoints on values diverge regarding education, marriage, and dreams, being distinct in both eras.