1) Contradiction as identified in our textbook presents the notion that there are contradicting messages being sent towards men through the media and also through their daily interactions with men and women. In our modern day society men are expected to be providers, strong, and steady. While they are expected to take on a masculine role of being the face of bravery, they are also at the same time expected to be expressive and disclose their feelings in the same way that women commonly do. They are expected to be forward and assertive, but at the same time appear to be completely independent and self-sufficient.
To better illustrate my point check out this clip from P.S. I love you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJXeUlIjevM
Examples of these contradictions take place at all levels. At the individual level men are faced with the confusion of what is masculine and what is not. At an interpersonal level there are expectations set according to your relationships and the people that you interact with interpersonally whether that be your girlfriend, boyfriend, fiance, mother, father, grandmother, or peer. At a societal level, there are major contradictions of what masculinity is and is not. Media portrayals enhance this contradiction.
2) In the hooks reading, the overall notion that I gathered is that because of patriarchy, men have not been able to form their own identity. It seems that because men are so used to having everything handed to them because they are 'deserving' of it, they have lost their own individual identity to form and develop the person that they could become if patriarchy did not exist. I don't necessarily believe this to be true. I think that in some extreme cases men may define a large part of their identity on what they can dominate or conquer because they are a man. However, not all men are given this privilege, especially in our world today where men and women seem to have similar competency. Are there privileges men receive just by being male born? I can't think of any off the top of my head.
3)The 'men's liberation movement' is an interesting concept for me to grasp. I don't think I can quite picture what this would look like! What exactly is it that men need to be liberated from?
If it is a matter of expectation that is placed upon them, there is always the choice to disagree and not participate. If a man doesn't want to ask someone on a date, then they don't have to. If they don't want to pay, then they don't have to. (to list some examples from class) What might an alternative masculinity look like? That is also a good question. I really don't have any idea. I know plenty of men who are masculine and who know exactly who they are and what their identity is rooted in despite the heavy influence of patriarchy in our society.
After watching the clip I have to agree that women really don't know what they want most of the time and the same can be said for men. I know there are times when I think I know what I want but then the next day its something totally different. I think it all depends on the circumstance of the situation. If I want to know what my girlfriend wants then I just ask and she has no problem telling me what she wants. There seems to be a lack of communication that can easily be resolved by communication more efficiently with each other.
ReplyDeleteCourtney, I can really relate to the points you made in this post because they're extremely similar my post. I agree that it's hard for me to imagine a "men's liberation movement". I'm so traditional in my thinking that I don't find the "normal" gender roles to be harming to either gender. I think it's a give and take between a man and woman, so there are positive things and negative things for both.
ReplyDeleteI think your clip really illustrates the point that you are trying to get to and I completely agree with it. I also agree that it is hard (and I am sure many more people find it difficult) to see a "men's liberation movement".
ReplyDeleteCourtney, I remember the first time I saw that part of the movie and I had mixed feelings. I felt like on one hand it was true, but on the other hand it made it look like women are inconsistent and unreliable. I think part of the conversation regarding this is also that women and men expecting each other to know what each wants, even when we haven't figured it out. I think a men's liberation movement would include men knowing what they want regardless of whether or not it agreed with what society dictates a man should want.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the clip i can agree on this becasuse all women and men dont know what they want in life or with a partner. It is just like when i want to tell someone something really nice but i see them the next day and i would freeze up. But lets be honest I dont like to read girls minds so i am not scared to just ask them what they want it is a lot easier to do that to make them happy.
ReplyDeleteGreat use of the PS I love you clip. You can embed it in the blog by using the movie icon on the tool bar over to the right by the image icon. You can either upload from your computer or link from YouTube.
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