Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Blog 2 Response


Men today hear many contradictory messages in society.  I believe a prevalent message refers to their ability to show emotion.  From an early age boys are taught to be brave, violent, and defend themselves.  This is then seen in men through their attempt to always display composure even during emotional times.  However, even though society urges men to be composed they receive contradictory messages from women who would like them to display more emotion at times.  This example can be viewed at all 3 levels of communication.  It is individual in that even though a male may be feeling the urge to cry he controls his emotions to display this feeling or not.  At an interpersonal level a man may share his feelings and emotions with a significant other or family member but would never do so while hanging out with “the guys”.  Lastly, this message can be at the societal level for the message is portrayed at this level and if a man shows emotion he is perceived to be weak and feminine to strangers.

Patriarchy has lowered men from their overly-powerful spot at the top of a household.  Through feminist politics women have continually been able to rise to power within society and the family unit; therefore, striping men of some of their rights under patriarchy.  One specific right lost is that men are no longer always considered the breadwinners.  It is now typical in the middle class for both members of a relationship to be employed and this can take power away from a male.  Another item related to this is the increase in shared housekeeping duties since they both work which can further “strip” a man of some of his patriarchal rights.  
However, it is important to note that some differences in men and women are biologically created.  Some privileges males typically have from time of birth is that they perceived as strong not only intellectually but also in terms of physicality.  Men are treated in an independent manner unlike females at early age which can help them to become emotional stable and somewhat distanced in adulthood.
bell hooks leads me to think men believe they need to be liberated from the hardships placed on them from feminist women.  These men aim to keep the former gender roles in which patriarchy existed, giving men all of the power in a household.  This movement would not go over well in the modern day because in order for them to achieve their goals they would need to suppress women back into their previous highly-restrictive gender roles.  There would be much uproar if this occurred.  This would be similar to the notion if people believed all blacks should be re-entered into slavery.  Through the degradation of a minority group the majority would likely experience backlash from a variety of minority groups.  

3 comments:

  1. I totally agree, men should be allowed to show emotion and not be ridiculed for it.

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  2. I agree with men showing emotion, but to a certain point. I have some strong views of what a man should be and they are very basic. Mentally strong, be able to cook, self reliant, make things go boom but also emotionally understanding. By that, I mean to not see emotion as a negative.

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  3. Excellent development of your points. Very thoughtful and wonderfully articulated. For future blogs, think about how you can add to these points with visuals and video content. Bring your words to life!

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