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Essay / Defining social constructions of the concept of “real” masculinity
Definitions of what it means to be a successful man are socially and historically constructed, and they evolve as material circumstances and gender systems evolve . Masculinity, like femininity, is a social construct, there is nothing natural or God-given about these roles. It is a product of historical processes as much as it is a human construction like the pyramids or the tins. According to Catharine Stimpson, “to be masculine is to have a particular psychological identity, a social role, a cultural script, a place in the workforce and a sense of the sacred”. All of these elements are socially constructed. In many cultures, displaying characteristics not typical of one's gender can be a social problem, as different societies write different scripts for their men. According to Connell, there is no single type of masculinity that fully encompasses all aspects of every man. This lack of singularity allows for greater flexibility in including other constructs of gender, thus leaving greater focus on understanding the person as a whole. Masculinity is not just the product of men. Furthermore, it is not possible to situate the ways in which both masculinity and femininity exist. It is therefore preferable to use the term "gender", because it is important to indicate the social hierarchy in which men dominate and subordinate women. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay According to Pleck and Doyle, five major themes in the construction of masculinity have been noted in the predominant culture of the West. These themes include: The first rule is: don’t be a woman. According to Brittan, everything women do is ipso facto what a real man should do. It posits that masculinity does not exist independently of femininity, it will always be an expression of the current image that men have of themselves in relation to women. The second rule is: succeed. Farrell posits that men are trained to be "objects of success" and that their value as friends, husbands, and simply as men is determined by their success. Kohn further explains that "the goal, a boy soon realizes, is not to be liked but to be envied" not to be part of a group but to distinguish himself from the other members of the group. The third rule is: be aggressive. Brittan believes that from childhood, boys are encouraged to be tough, to fight and not to run away. These values have been fostered through competitive sport, and in many cultures military training reinforces them. The fourth rule is: be sexual. According to Gaylin, men are supposed to be sexually experienced and always interested in sex. Wood says that “sex is not a free choice when you have to perform to be a man.” The fifth rule: be independent. According to Wood, “Men are supposed to be confident, independent and self-reliant, a real man doesn't need other people, especially women. He depends on himself, takes care of himself and does not rely on anyone. Catharine Stimpson identifies three ways in which “real men” define themselves: “they earn money in law enforcement and thus support their families, they have formal power over the women and children of those families, they are heterosexual with the women they dominate and intimidate other men who are not heterosexual.” Fransella and Frost cited by Oakley gave another dimension to what a typical man should be: “someone aggressive;.