Double Standard Of Masculinity In Gender Role Socialization Essay

maleness is a topic that has been debated in our smart set extensively, through research as well as in informal settings. cosmosy wonder what it sum to be masculine, and if we can really assign a definition to such a subjective term. After all, shouldnt ones own perception be the causal factor of what constitutes masculinity? This egotism-construction would be the ideal in our society, but unfortunately, it represents a ridiculous belief. Masculinity has certain characteristics assigned to it by our culture. In this paper I entrust explore the many facets of masculinity and demonstrate how certain beliefs pertaining to it are perpetuated in our society. I will also uncover many of the contradictions amidst societys assigned definition of masculinity and the expectation that males will somehow take heed how to act contrary to that assigned and learned meaning.Definition of Masculinity Men are primarily and secondarily socialized into believing certain characteristics are determinate in determining their manliness and masculinity. These characteristics range from not crying when they find hurt to being and playing violently. The socialization of masculinity in our society begins as early as the first st develops of infancy. A childs burgeoning sense of self or self-concept is a result of the multitude of ideas, attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs to which he is exposed (Witt 1997). later in this paper the question of whether there are genetic factors will be controverted. However, to further my argument at this point, I will discuss masculinity as it is socially defined. From the outset of a boys life he is socialized into the belief that he should be tough. Often when boys get hurt, scrape their knee, or come whimpering to their mother or father, the fated words, "Little boys dont cry", disclose forth. Children internalize parental messages regarding gender at an early age, with awareness of pornographic sex role differences being found in two-year-old children. One make found that children at two and a half years of age use gender stereotypes in negotiating their world and are likely to vulgarise gender stereotypes to a variety of activities, objects, and occupations (Witt 1997). This legitimization teaches males that boys and men are not allowed to cry. in that location also exists the belief that boys are often required to do mens work outside of the home such as mowing th... ...iographyBetcher, William R. et al. (1993) In a time of move Heroes. rising York, NY, Macmillan Publishing Company. Bowker, Lee H. (1998) Masculinities and Violence. Thousand Oaks, CA, apt Publications, Inc.Buss, David. (1994) The Evolution of Desire. New York, NY, St. Martins Press, Inc. Gwartney, Debra. (October 17, 1998) "Double bind of boys concerns psychologists." Oregon Times.Katz, Jackson. (1995) "Advertising and the Construction of Violent flannel Masculinity" In Dines, Gail and Humez, Jean. (Eds.) Gender, Race and Class in Media. Thousand Oaks, CA, Sage Publications. Pollack, William. (1995) "Deconstructing Dis-identification Rethinking psychoanalytic Concepts of male development." Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. 12(1)30-45.Stearns, Peter N. (1990) Be A Man Males in Modern Society. New York, NY, Holmes & Meier Publishers, Inc.Thompson, Neil. (1995) "Men and Anti-Sexism" British daybook of Social Work. 25(4)459-475.Witt, Susan D. (1997) "Parental influence on childrens socialization to gender roles." Adolescence. 32(126)253-257.Wrangham R. et al. (1997) race Violence in Demonic Males. New York, NY, Routledge.