(Alexander, 1994) notes that Black bodies displayed “for public consumption have been an American spectacle for centuries. This history moves from public rapes, beatings, and lynching’s to the gladiatorial arenas of basketball and boxing” Images of masculinity as powerful and "natural" on televised sporting spectacles offer men of all socioeconomic backgrounds one of the most powerful sites to collectively identify with masculinity and an ideology of male physical and cultural superiority (Messner, 1988; Theberge, 1991).
Throughout the matriculation of a black boy 's’ life, there are many, (labeled natural, yet are culturally, socially and institutionally based) factors, that govern the holistic views and beliefs entailed to the child. From that moment on, challenging the social structures that these norms entail suggest a sense of sensitivity, homosexuality or weakness, ultimately emasculating the highly regarded social stigmas attached with being a man. Despite being indoctrinated into the minds of black boys from an early age, there are many long lasting effects of masculinity that are in turn reciprocated in the role of black fathers, husbands, brothers and friends. Black masculinity is the self-deteriorating idealisms that attack the identity and social positions black men ascribe to.
When attempting to explain something as intangible and complex as human behavior it is difficult to devise experiments that lead to conclusive results. Sometimes complex problems are easier to solve when they are broken down into smaller pieces or into simpler problems that are more approachable. Using human evolution to explain human behavior is such an example. Evolutionary psychology reaches for the roots of human development when they were in their most basic stages to explain why people behave the way they do. Specifically, explaining human masculinity through science has been a major focus of evolutionary psychology. This paper seeks to explain why masculinity cannot be explained by sociology alone and will present
Black males within American society struggle to be successful because of challenges arising from racism and oppression, lack of effective educational leadership, and adverse racial stereotypes. Toby S. Jenkins’, “Mr. Nigger: The Challenges of Educating Black Males Within American Society”, Bell Hooks’, “We Real Cool: Black Men and Masculinity”, and Tyrone C. Howard’s “Who Really Cares? The Disenfranchisement of African American Males in PreK-12 Schools: A Critical Race Theory Perspective” provide insight to understanding the challenges Black males face within American society and especially the educational system.
In today’s society, and throughout modern history, masculinity has often taken the role of defining how men should act, and be seen amongst everyday living. Throughout Michael Kimmel’s excerpt from his critically acclaimed nonfiction Guyland excerpt published 2008, he addresses, and researches these social queues and aims to put perspective on why, and how the rules of masculinity define manhood. He does this through his vast use of credible resources, and stories of effected individuals which further support his claims and credibility. Not only does he provide several examples of well-known psychologists whose own ideals support those that he writes about, he also uses a variety of other professions ranging from psychologist, anthropologist, poets, and even well noted playwrights to show that his views and ideals of masculinity can be observed across all aspects of careers, and
Homosexuality is often looked down upon and is a reoccurring topic in the black community and specifically with black American men. This sparks the question “Why are many Black American men against homosexuality?” Religion, the influence of hip-hop and the social construct of hyper-masculinity are all factors that play into the stigmatization of homosexuality.
If the benchmarks of hegemonic masculinity highlight everything it takes for a Black man to be a man, “The Moynihan Report, 1965” exposes the Black man for everything he lacks. The benchmarks for hegemonic masculinity that Patricia Hill Collins discuses are eerily connected to the covertly racist allegations of the report. “The Negro Family: The Case for National Action”, also known as “The Moynihan Report,
For many years, black males have been betrayed to be these violent, sexual human beings and this has made it difficult for black males to get in touch with their humanity. To be able to have sex with as many girls as possible or to be this tough figure all the time, does that really make you a man? The discussion of black masculinity is an issue that’s destroying black men’s humanity. In today’s world, black males are looked upon to be the “tough guy” in their definition of masculinity. Black males have historically been associated with thugs, gangsters, and pimps. These are negative images that society portrays young black men. To some degree the media to blame for that and our youth because the radio and the T.V. keeps stereotyping black
Society’s current structure of masculinity is unforgiving in form. It cuts out other forms of masculinity, it physically and mentally demanding, and its ill effects extend far beyond the men it infuses itself in. Yet what would we do if we were given other options for masculinity, ones that allowed for unique blends of attitudes and perceptions? Looking in to the lives of homeless men we can see the forced strategies which create new masculine codes created for the adaption against patriarchal pressures. They are made out of survival need to circumnavigate the painful mental and physical reality that is only made worse by harsh masculine standards. Yet these new masculinities hold out a form of hopefulness for society. They offer up new discussion to what it means to be a man, the potential for change, and what we can expect from changes in male identity over time. Using what we learn from the disadvantaged, we can hope to improve the lives of people, although the process will take time, effort, and careful mediation.
Recently, the media has caused many stereotypes due to portraying African American males playing feminine roles. This perspective depicts men of color wearing attire outside of the stereotypical sagging pants and oversized t-shirts. It depicts an educated man with social class and sophistication. To date, society holds African American men to rigid stereotypes and a high standard of masculinity. However, once a man of color steps outside societal stereotypes and into the perspective reflected by this new lens, far too often his own race rejects him on the grounds of not molding into the same rigid stereotypes that prevents his growth. Stripping the young man who adopts this new perspective of his ability to identify with his own race,
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.
In our society, specifically the south, African-American men are constantly viewed with negative connotations. It is so disturbing to know our society has molded our minds into believing this misconception. This fallacy originated from generational hate that has been in existence since slavery, and is apparent in many forms of African-American literature. Black Men in a Public Space did a phenomenal job of depicting the negative connotations presented to black men in the south. As I read the literature, it allowed me to picture these senseless acts and sympathize with African-American males. I noticed Staples brought to his readers’ attention that despite class, race, and gender of a black man, he would be viewed with adverse connotations.
In the predominantly patriarchal history of the world masculinity and what it means to be a man have differed from culture to culture. When it comes to African American history and culture, particularly what it has meant to be a man has no clear set of universal rules or guidelines. There are a few different sources such as hip hop and television many young black men across America draw their sense of masculinity from. On the other hand, there are role models in black communities that many young black men also draw their sense of masculinity from. With so many different sources to draw a sense of what it means to be a black man in today’s society from what is the true definition of black masculinity.
In this current era of time Black men have evolved in their form of masculinity. In the past Black men were men that carried themselves with pride, intelligence, and a sense of respect for another man. In these current days some Black men still carry those traits but everyday those traits are diminishing amongst the society, which is what the public assumes. A recent observation has been recorded that a new form of masculinity is being established in the Black culture, and it is considered a more harmful, misogynistic, and greedy perspective of the culture. This observation in deed is false because Black Masculinity is a black man with strength, intelligence, respect, and honor for his community that is determined to be the best at any task
Your list between the stereotyped traits of femininity and masculinity. was very interesting The idea of women being loyal is significant because I think that is what fuels the idea of monogamy, and the ostracism women get for choosing non-monogamous relationships. This also fuels slut shaming and the fact that women are mostly condemned for having a lot of sex, while men are praised for this same act. It is interesting that you listed “independent,” “self-sufficient” and “individualistic” as a feminine trait. This is because when I think of stereotypes of women, I think of them as seemingly more dependent, especially on the collective unit of the family, as they are often characterized as the homemakers, and instead I would pair these traits