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Gender Roles: "Un-masking Masculinity"

***Warning*** the following section may be unsettling and will ask you to think critically and analyze yourself and your own perceptions on the life that surrounds you.

There are many messages we receive from society about what it means "to be a man" or " to be a woman". What does it mean to you "to be a man" or "to be a woman"?

Take a moment to think about the different messages that, over the course of your life, have shaped your idea of what a "real man" or "real woman" is.

The messages we receive in life come from a variety of different sources: parents, siblings, other family members, friends, teachers, religious leaders, media, and many more.

It is important to recognize that we are influenced by everything that surrounds us - even things we don't realize.

This is the concept of socialization. Socialization refers to how every one of us learns about others and ourselves in the context of our society. We gain an understanding of ourselves by our perception of everyone else.

For example: When we think of pink and blue, most people think about girl colors and boy colors. Why is that? Why those colors? Where did those ideas come from? Think about how many marketed items use this same idea when trying to sell products.

Socialization happens all around us every day, but being aware of its effects is one way we can change to what degree we are all influenced by it.

Check out this "Gender Box" activity that looks at some pressures many males and females feel living in our society today.

But, first, let's look at some definitions. What is gender anyways?

Gender is the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with (or socially expected of) one sex. This is a socially learned idea and changes depending on culture.

Sex is the classification of individuals based on genitalia as commonly male or females. This is a biological/anatomical trait.

Gender roles are a set of behaviors normally associated with males and females, respectively, in a given social group or system. These are behavior codes that society expects males and females to behave in accordance with.

Gender Box

First, let's look at what it means to "act like a man".

This box is a metaphor for what it is like to be a man. There are social "walls" and "boundaries" around us that impact how men behave. These walls make sure that men act according to the gender roles society has prescribed for them.

Inside the box represents what society says is okay for men to be like or how to behave.

Outside the box are terms men are called when they step outside the box and act differently than society's behavior code allows. These terms are used to pressure men, to keep men "boxed" in.

What comes to mind when you think of the phrase, "act like a man"?

Name-calling is one socializing tactic individuals use to send the message to others that what they are doing or how they are acting is wrong. This is one way that people influence each other about who and how they should be. Name-calling can be really damaging to people.

Many males feel limited by the person they are allowed to be. We can help stop this issue by supporting one another, especially when other men are taking a step outside the box.

For example: Support other guys when they share their feelings with you. Pave the way for other guys by sharing your feelings in a thoughtful caring way.

A lot of males are waiting for other men to show it's okay to open up and be more than just the "Tough Guy" in the box.

Female socialization can be just as confining as that of males. Let's see what happens when we do the same activity with females.

Inside the box represents what society says is okay for women to be like or how to behave.

Outside the box are terms women are called when they step outside the box and act differently than society's behavior code allows. These terms are used to pressure women, to keep women "boxed" in.

What comes to mind when you think of the phrase, "act like lady"?

Every day we are all shaping and influencing the world around us. Let us be mindful of what messages we are sending out, to ensure that we send productive, positive messages, rather than destructive or damaging ones.

Gender Roles in the Media: Setting the Bar High


Be a critical thinker!
De-code the gender role messages bombarding you everyday in the media.
Don't let the media tell you how to think or act.

Television

Television is just one of many forms of media in our society, but it's the most pervasive and marketed form in the United States. In the U.S., most household have at least one television set, and on average, children watch four to five hours of TV a day. There is no question that television affects its viewers. Different shows can make people cry, laugh, feel good, or even feel scared. Images shown on TV can impact our attitudes about a lot of topics.

It is a good idea to take the time to think critically about some of the effects (positive and negative) it may be having on our society.

Ask questions like:

Advertising

Attractive models fuel marketing. They are used everywhere to sell swim wear, underwear, clothes, cars, hamburgers; you name it and they have models to help sell it. Be aware that mass media is an industry. Their main goal is to turn profits for companies, so there are reasons why the companies choose to market the way they do. So next time you sit down to read a magazine or watch a show, keep an eye out for the models they use to promote companies' products. Think about why they choose to use the people they did.

Ask questions like:

Music

Have you ever listened closely to the lyrics of current popular songs? Many artists, both male and female, send messages about gender roles. Some lyrics and music videos portray a "gansta" image of men and frequently imply that "real men" have multiple sexual partners that "can't get enough of them". Images of women in music are often as sex objects or material objects and suggest that they are submissive or powerless.

It's important to analyze the lyrics and videos of female artists, as well. How do females express their personal power in their lyrics? Frequently, the only way a female artist seems empowered is when she is rejecting or getting over a man who has treated her wrong. Notice how female singers dress or conduct themselves in their videos. Perception of female artists focuses often on their physical attributes, rather than their lyrics or musical abilities.

Ask questions: