Bad Boys bad Boys whatcha gonna do?

(Lewis, I. 1990).

What is a man?...

How is a man defined? His power to provide? His virility? His protectiveness? 

What is masculine? If a description is sort most people will use words to describe certain traits which are deemed socially acceptable in recognizing masculinity.

                      PROVIDER. IMPREGNATOR. PROTECTOR.

But what do these words really mean and what makes them masculine?

Provider

(Bolton, M. Goldmark, A.)

Avaiable at: -http://38.media.tumblr.com/b41494129b456487683509f23c0b868e/tumblr_inline_n1zlxaOi901sahfu9.jpg (Accessed 04/03/16)

When describing masculine traits in western cultures provider is one of the main masculine traits referred to. Historically this was a firm characteristic as traditionally women stayed at home to bring up the children and look after the domestic chores (Spence, J.T. and Helmreich, R.L. 1979) (pp 4). Through this gender differentiation social construction has reinforced these stereotypes. However, as women have become more prominent within the workplace this analogy loses credence. Although men are still in the majority bracket for higher earnings and higher positions it is not unrealistic to see that women can satisfactorily provide for the family. But it should be noted that a majority of women will still take career breaks to care for the family (Nino, L. 2006).

‘…the problem that male-identified people experience is not due to the mere fact of “being a man” but rather the struggle and negotiation of what masculinity means for them and others in today’s world’(Kahn, J.S. 2009)

Impregnator
(Anka, P. 1974).

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Although this is mainly thought of as an especially male dominant trait women are taking control of their sexuality and the rise of contraception has enabled women to consciously decide whether or not they follow the assumed roles to which society expects. This has empowered women to be in control of their own bodies.

Protector
(Zippei, D. Wilder, M.)

Available at: -https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS1X_xX6nLyq47kWHT6p88KWAOdYwvwY5Tfy9sCC7VjEmRvL51m (Accessed 04/03/16)

As the traditional ‘head of the family’ the man is seen as the protector. He aims to look after the family unit and ensure the safety of each member. As women become more self-assured and in control again this description doesn’t appear to hold the same level of authority when describing what it means to be a man (Spence, J.T. and Helmreich, R.L. 1979)

The crisis of masculinity…

(Rutherford, M. Banks, T. Collins, P. 1986)

The changes in traditional roles, the rise of feminism and the acceptance of homosexuals all play a part in the crisis of masculinity.Men have followed traditional role models for centuries but as the rise of women in the workplace and the increase in single parent families these traditional roles are no longer exclusively male orientated. This has caused unease amongst men as they have no clear definition of what it is to be a man (Davis, K., Evans, M. and Lorber, J. 2006). (pp 109-110).If a man displays traits which are deemed feminine for example by being sensitive and caring, he is ridiculed and called names like ‘sissy’ ‘soft’ ‘gaylord’ (Kahn, J.S. 2009). (pp 200).

Available at: -https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTQRSQOi-mXkeB9mH9XthIhnQZNL5SNtP1QbZOWfdWXR35kQYsh (Accessed 10/03/16).

The modern day man is torn between behaving traditionally and being shunned by women for undermining their capabilities or being accepted by women by displaying sensitive traits and being the subject of ridicule by their peers.