Masculinity is a form of measurement in our society. By measuring a man's or boy’s masculinity, one may find an insight on their behavior. Unfortunately, as with all things that have the ability to differ case by case, there is a classification that is made based on a person’s level of masculinity. These classifications can call out a man’s voice, disposition or attire, and often are related back to a man’s sexuality.
Feminists have been fighting for equality for ages. It is an ongoing struggle that was based on one thing: that men are more physically imposing than women. Due to this stigma, a stereotype has been formed that if a man is smaller, or less athletic than a woman, then they are not actually a man at all. The conclusion has been made that it is in a man’s basic, primal coding that they be more physically capable than their female stereotypes. However, if a man cannot reach the physical standard, he can make up for it in his behaviour or disposition.
Too short? Be vicious and angry to make up for your height. Too weak? Be intellectual and smart to measure up to expectations. When has it become the norm to fill in gaps left by standards one cannot reach with a fake atmosphere? It is expected that men reach a certain standard in society that is quite unattainable to the common person. This leads to men continuously reaching toward a goal that can never fully be obtained.
Is it possible for a boy to grow up with two different requirements thrown at him and turn out a perfect citizen? The man they would grow into would have no way to fulfill their personal potential, nor the societal expectations when they spend their time attempting to decide which way to turn. Masculinity? Or pleasantry? They go hand in hand, one constantly battling the other.
Take an effeminate young man for example. He may enjoy spending more time getting ready or enjoy certain styles of dress or music type, and just by this alone, he is classified as having less masculinity. This points to the fact that the term masculinity itself may be the issue. The exact definition of masculine (according to The World English Dictionary) is “To possess qualities or characteristics considered typical of or appropriate to a man.” Yet who exactly decided what these typical or appropriate qualities are? There has been a double standard toward men that began as soon as feminists began playing a major role in the world.
Feminism is a good cause, yes. But there comes a point where one cause fighting for equal rights, in doing so, smothers or covers another unknown cause. With feminism comes a double standard toward men. It is considered wrong for men to objectify women or classify them based on their behavior; yet when a man is not "masculine enough," he is automatically classified. Whether it be sexually or social does not matter. The importance is the classifying itself; it is a practice women have fought to quell within their ranks, but in doing so, they have reared it in others.
For men, one of the largest issues in society is the need to be masculine in order to attract female attention. This can be looked at one of two ways: from a feminist’s perspective, it can be seen as the assumption that women are fickle creatures who only look for the aesthetically pleasing side of men. Due to this viewpoint being realized, the other view has been overshadowed and ignored for decades.
From a male activist’s perspective, it can be seen as men being forced to condone sexist treatment due to societal expectations. How is this situation different from the stigma of the 1950s' housewife? A certain gender was expected to behave like and take on the role of a certain character that others had designed.
One of the only ways to battle the stigma of masculinity against men is to address aggression: the main root of masculinity. Aggression is encouraged through sports and other social media, such as video games, and is seen as something to be praised in the male youth. If young men can be taught that there are alternate forms of expression rather than violence, and it were to stop becoming so highly encouraged in modern society, it may be possible to find a semi-balance between genders.
It is unlikely that we will ever fully reach this point, however. In order for it to be achieved, a lesser stress would need to be placed on sports, which would be an almost impossible feat to accomplish, as sports have been welded into the foundation of world culture.
So is there any hope for the discrimination of masculinity against men and boys? While there is no direct answer insight, a simple enlightenment of the cause and perspective to others can make a difference. It is of utmost importance to advocate the cause in order for a change to be made. It’s time for the world’s stage to accept both genders in as equal a light as can be achieved. But let's not get too crazy here. We wouldn't want to sound unmanly.
