Competition, dominance, and power. These three ideals engross the American Male psyche due to the processes of modern socialization. Although a focus on these three aspects of life may create better athletes, a stronger military, and edge-of-your-seat action films, the current prioritization of dominant masculinity harms the American people – women and men alike. Rather than teaching young men compassion and cooperation, American socialization suggests that each man must have more wealth, bigger muscles, and a sexier female companion when compared with his peers. In addition, the processes of socialization – such as those seen in Dream Worlds III -- often suggest that women are objects that men should possess, dominate, and control, a construct mirrored in Sanday’s Theory of Male Dominance (Hurst, p. 133-134). In essence, what it means to “be a man” in America is to reject and condone everything labeled “feminine.” Additionally, as mentioned in The Mask You Live In, homosexual men become the most stigmatized
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First, I wanted to challenge the idea that a “true man” is the rejection of everything feminine. In Social Inequality: Forms, Causes, and Concequences, Hurst asserts that media often portrays American women as emotional and affectionate (Hurst, p. 126-127). In my experience, men who show emotion and affection often receive both physical and verbal attacks from other men. American men should be able to expresses affection and emotion with backlash from their peers – this is why I felt called to challenge this norm. Second, I aimed to challenge the stigmas associated with male homosexuality. In order to challenge both of these norms at the same time, I decided to hold hands on a couple occasions with a willing male friend. Thus, a friend and I held hands in front of the gym and while walking into the commons – showing affection for each other by doing
First, I wanted to challenge the idea that a “true man” is the rejection of everything feminine. In Social Inequality: Forms, Causes, and Concequences, Hurst asserts that media often portrays American women as emotional and affectionate (Hurst, p. 126-127). In my experience, men who show emotion and affection often receive both physical and verbal attacks from other men. American men should be able to expresses affection and emotion with backlash from their peers – this is why I felt called to challenge this norm. Second, I aimed to challenge the stigmas associated with male homosexuality. In order to challenge both of these norms at the same time, I decided to hold hands on a couple occasions with a willing male friend. Thus, a friend and I held hands in front of the gym and while walking into the commons – showing affection for each other by doing