Masculinity Essay

Fatima Zaidi
Ms. Mckay
AP Language and Composition
1 January 2021
Masculinity Essay
Masculinity is a specific term when discussing certain characteristics of men.
Usually these attributes describe men as being strong, tough, and brave. When this
word is used towards men, there’s a positive connotation, it’s even a compliment for
some men to be called masculine. There’s definitely a problem with using the term
masculinity, because not only does it allow for men to act with that certain behavior but
it also confines men to act within those certain characteristics. This is clearly a problem
for men and young boys in society because they’re confined to follow a certain definition
of masculinity and if not, they won’t be accepted as men. Young boys and men have to
face a multitude of problems first being that they’re expected to follow and reinforce
these stereotypes, there are also gaps between men and women in many fields, lastly,
how the media portrays men adds on to the problem.
Gender stereotypes have always existed and have seemed to define the role
men and women should play in society. For example women are supposed to stay at
home, cook, and take care of the kids while the man goes out and makes money.
Stereotypes even dictate how each gender should act and behave. Like how women
are emotional and should act gentle while men need to act tough and can’t express their
emotions. These gender stereotypes are polar opposites for men and women, and
make it seem like both genders have to act like they’re on the opposite sides of the
spectrum. When in reality it shouldn’t be that way, both genders especially men should
be able to express themselves because men are told not to if they want to be manly. In
the essay by Paul Theroux which talks about manliness states, “I have always disliked
being a man. The whole idea of manhood in America is pitiful, in my opinion. This
version of masculinity is a little like having to wear an ill-fitting coat for one's entire life
[...]” The author of the essay explains that this idea of being a man in America is
distorted because all it does is reinforces those toxic stereotypes. The author also talks
about how manlihood is like an “ill fitting coat.” What has been defined as being
masculine simply can’t describe how every man should act or feel. Recently when the
famous singer Harry Styles wore a dress for the cover of Vogue. Many disagreed with
the cover and said that it didn’t represent men. This cover also caught the attention of
Candace Owens who is a conservative writer and in response to the cover she said,
“We need more manly men.” This response clearly shows that gender stereotypes were
being reinforced. Clothing is another form of expression and defining which clothes
should be worn by men and which clothes should be worn by women is strengthening
these stereotypes. Clothing shouldn’t be exclusive for a specific gender because the
more men are able to express themselves in different ways then this will resolve the
toxic masculinity that currently exists.
Stereotypes have been around for a long time and this caused inequalities
between the two genders. When looking at history it is clear that women were
oppressed and their rights were taken away. Men were used to being in control of
situations and institutions since women didn’t have the right to back then. Therefore
there was a big gap between the performance of men and women. Currently, in the
education system there are still gaps between the performance in schools of boys and
girls. In an article by David Brooks that appeared in the New York Times it states, “In
high school, girls get higher grades in every subject, usually by about a quarter of a
point, and have a higher median class rank. They are more likely to take advanced
placement courses and the hardest math courses, and are more likely to be straight-A
students. They have much higher reading and writing scores on national assessment
tests. Boys still enjoy an advantage on math and science tests, but that gap is smaller
and closing.” This clearly highlights the division in performance of girls and boys. Girls
are statistically proven to perform better in school. This adds another problem for young
boys. It’s harder for them to perform better in school. Currently the education system is
designed to help girls to succeed more than boys and therefore must be redesigned to
include more activities and strategies that are also geared towards properly educating
boys. Being more inclusive in such an important institution which is education will focus
to decrease the gap between boys and girls. There are even inconsistencies in the
workforce. There are certain jobs that are catered to men and certain jobs that are seen
to mainly be for women. For example men are more likely to be builders while females
won’t typically have that job. This is a clear division between both genders. Even Paul
Theroux addresses this issue, “There are people who might deny this, but that is
because the American writer, typically, has been so at pains to prove his manliness that
we have come to see literacy and manliness as mingled qualities. But first there was a
fear that writing was not a manly profession— indeed, not a profession at all.” Clearly
even journalism is considered a job mainly for women simple because expression isn’t
considered manly. There has to be environments in which no matter the gender, people
feel comfortable applying for whatever jobs they want without being judged. It is these
environments that will allow for positive change.
When addressing the issues of toxic masculinity, the media plays a big role in
solving this issue. The way men are portrayed in the media is very stereotypical and just
emphasizes the role that men are supposed to be tough and manly. Instead of shows
and movies portraying men as irresponsible and being misogynistic, they should be
portrayed as responsible and caring. There needs to be positive male figures that every
young boy can look up to. In the essay from The Solace of Open Spaces by Gretel
Ehrlich, the author looks into Marlboro cigarette ads, “But the men I see in those posters
with their stern, humorless looks remind me of no one I know here. In our hellbent
earnestness to romanticize the cowboy we've ironically disesteemed his true character.
If he's "strong and silent" it's because there's probably no one to talk to. If he "rides
away into the sunset" it's because he’s been on horseback since four in the morning
moving cattle and he's trying, fifteen hours later, to get home to his family.” The author
claims that when they're looking for Marlboro ads, they always expect to see tough men
with a rugged look, looking off into the distance. This image has been somewhat
engraved into the mind of many because for years Marlboro has associated their
company with that image of the cowboy. This is another example of how the media has
always portrayed men to be tough. When in reality cowboys aren’t all just tough and
manly. The author later states that cowboys are also those who look after their family
and care for them. Yet, this side is never shown. The media favors focusing on the
manly side of male characters and this just adds to the toxic environment that young
boys shouldn’t grow up in.

While it is true that society has come a long way, there still need to be major
efforts taken in order to ensure that this definition of masculinity that society has created
isn’t the only thing that defines a man. Constricting the behavior and personality of men
to a simple definition is wrong and in the end, leads to the lack of emotional expression
from men. This isn’t an easy process though, when all men are taught to do is act like
the stereotypical male. It must be known that stereotypes were only created to classify
people under one group, rather than letting men express themselves and be who they
want to be. This problem is further rooted by the fact that girls are statistically proven to
do better in school. Since the education system isn’t necessarily designed to meet the
needs of young boys to adequately receive education. Lastly, the media plays a major
role in how men are portrayed. Movies and shows mainly like to portray men as being
manly rather than being kind and caring. If the media portrayed men for who they truly
are and should be, then it would be something that young men could look up to and
aspire to be and act like. There are many factors that add to the problems that men and
young boys have to face today.

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Fatima Zaidi

AP Language and Composition

Masculinity is a specific term when discussing certain characteristics of men.

how the media portrays men adds on to the problem.

toxic masculinity that currently exists.

environments that will allow for positive change.

boys shouldn’t grow up in.

young boys have to face today.

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