Blog response #2

1.)Contradiction - refers to the tensions commonly present in one's communication, identity, relations with others and relations to the larger culture (DeFrancisco and Palczewski, pg 20).

What are some contradictory messages and expectations that males hear from our modern-day society?
-I think some contradictory messages that males hear from our society is this alpha male domination type of behavior yet, they must also be nice gentlemen. I think that there are also a lot of expectations from guys when it comes to relationships. Someone in class the other day pointed out that guys do a lot of work in relationships and girls kind of just take advantage of it. I think that there are a lot of expectations of guys to succeed in life, it is kind of expected that the dad or husband will be "taking care of" the house.

Identify whether these occur on individual, interpersonal and/or societal level(s) of communication. Expand on this concept.
-I think they occur on all three, just in different ways. I think that individually it is on the shoulders of a guy if they want to met these expectations or not. I think that it is an interpersonal communication just because of all the relationship expectations seen for guys. Finally I believe it is a societal level because as this society we all have our own thoughts on how a guy should act. I take the notion that a guy has to propose to his girl, not vise verse.

2.) Feminist politics expanded to include the recognition that patriarchy stripped men of certain rights, imposing on them a sexist masculine identity (hooks, pg 68).
Identify what you feel are some of the rights that patriarchy takes away from men.
Are there privileges that men receive simply because they are born male?
-I think that a right that has never really been given to guys is that of emotionally expressing themselves freely. I grew up in a family full of guys and I think I have only seen 2 of them cry or show any type of emotion. I think that society is very crucial about how men react. Men are not allowed to cry, they are called girls or fags or babies. It is not fair on some extents. Just because they were born a man does not mean they should not be allowed to cry, however I can understand where the reading is coming from for this point. A man is already given to many privileges just because they are a man.

3.) hooks writes about the "men's liberation movement" and the men who identified themselves as victims of sexism and worked to liberate men (hooks, pg. 69).
What do men need to be liberated from? What would a men's liberation movement look like?
-I think this is a very challenging question. I think that men need to be liberated from the fear of being seen as less masculine. I think it is hard to a man to come out about being sexually assaulted because they are supposed to be manly and manly men do not cry whatever. I think a movement would be kind of tricky to not look more like a gay rights protest, I think it would be a quite powerful movement. Something small like seeing a high profile celebrity saying it is okay to cry, or show emotion. And not just cry because his team lost the super bowl!
What changes would we see? Have we already experienced some of these changes in our society?
-I think we have seen a little change in our society just because with all the media around I think it is easier for men to have an emotional outlet somewhere. Whether it is blogs, twitter, facebook, music or whatever.
What might an alternative masculinity look like?
-I guess this would just be a man that is very comfortable in his own skin who is able to communicate his emotions with out saying "Never mind" or "forget about it"