Strong. Tough. Independant. Muscular. Intimidating. Those are just some of the words that men used to describe what a real man is. Last Night, I watched the documentary called Tough Guise. Surprisingly enough, I found the documentary extremely interesting. I learned so many new things about our society that I otherwise hadn't realized. There were many things discussed that reflected my personal opinions, which I really enjoyed due to the fact that I could relate.
For example, the narrator explained that the shooters who start school shootings are those who have been bullied or treated badly by schoolmates in the past. They often say that they are getting revenge on those who have treated them badly. I am that person who, when hearing about those situations, is worried about the shooter. Of course, I know that it is an awful thing and I definately don't think that violence is the answer to anything, but I can't help but wonder what happened to the man (because, as the documentary said, it is often a man) to push him so far off the edge. Although the boy will often feel they have no other choice but to get revenge on the ones who have hurt him, he in turn hurts many people who did not deserve to have this happen to them. It's hard to have a strong opinion about this subject, because of the ethics of the situation.
Weak. Mama's Boy. Wussy. Fag. Those are the words that those same men used to describe what they are called when they do not live up to the sterotype. What I found most disturbing was that 1/3 of the guys used the word Fag to describe men that weren't necessarily tough. They throw it in with the rest of the insults that could be used as if it has no meaning. In fact, they are basically saying that men who are Homosexual are not real men. I could be taking it a little too literally, but that's just who I am. I really dispise it when people use the words fag, gay, and homo as insults. It's really disappointing that, still today, people treat gays as if they are something to be ashamed of. It's crazy how differently homosexual men and homosexual women are treated in our society. Most men think that gay women are "hot", while they ridicule gay men.
We are constantly saying how much of an impact the media has on girls, but I had never realized how much influence it has on boys growing up. Of course, I have always agreed that violent video games and tv shows are not good for kids growing up, but I had never realized the other aspects. From the male role models in action movies to the action figures boys play with, the image of muscular men being the hero is burned into their brains.
I hear about all those teenage boys fighting with one another and I can't believe why guys feel they constantly have to use violence to prove themselves. Now, thanks to this video, I know why. It's completely psychological. They are taught throughout their whole lives that being tough and fighting with others is the only way to be a real man. It`s too bad society pushes them to do such drastic things to be seen as men.
All in all, I really enjoyed the video. I learned a lot about the other half of our society. I mean, I know so much about the way girls think, but I never really knew the way guys minds work, until now. Maybe I can now understand the things they do a little better now.
For example, the narrator explained that the shooters who start school shootings are those who have been bullied or treated badly by schoolmates in the past. They often say that they are getting revenge on those who have treated them badly. I am that person who, when hearing about those situations, is worried about the shooter. Of course, I know that it is an awful thing and I definately don't think that violence is the answer to anything, but I can't help but wonder what happened to the man (because, as the documentary said, it is often a man) to push him so far off the edge. Although the boy will often feel they have no other choice but to get revenge on the ones who have hurt him, he in turn hurts many people who did not deserve to have this happen to them. It's hard to have a strong opinion about this subject, because of the ethics of the situation.
Weak. Mama's Boy. Wussy. Fag. Those are the words that those same men used to describe what they are called when they do not live up to the sterotype. What I found most disturbing was that 1/3 of the guys used the word Fag to describe men that weren't necessarily tough. They throw it in with the rest of the insults that could be used as if it has no meaning. In fact, they are basically saying that men who are Homosexual are not real men. I could be taking it a little too literally, but that's just who I am. I really dispise it when people use the words fag, gay, and homo as insults. It's really disappointing that, still today, people treat gays as if they are something to be ashamed of. It's crazy how differently homosexual men and homosexual women are treated in our society. Most men think that gay women are "hot", while they ridicule gay men.
We are constantly saying how much of an impact the media has on girls, but I had never realized how much influence it has on boys growing up. Of course, I have always agreed that violent video games and tv shows are not good for kids growing up, but I had never realized the other aspects. From the male role models in action movies to the action figures boys play with, the image of muscular men being the hero is burned into their brains.
I hear about all those teenage boys fighting with one another and I can't believe why guys feel they constantly have to use violence to prove themselves. Now, thanks to this video, I know why. It's completely psychological. They are taught throughout their whole lives that being tough and fighting with others is the only way to be a real man. It`s too bad society pushes them to do such drastic things to be seen as men.
All in all, I really enjoyed the video. I learned a lot about the other half of our society. I mean, I know so much about the way girls think, but I never really knew the way guys minds work, until now. Maybe I can now understand the things they do a little better now.
Some interesting reflections Talya. What I always wonder about is the real meaning of the insult behind the comparing a man to a feminine quality. If a guy says to another guy, "You're such a girl", what is he really saying? What is it exactly about being feminine that is so undesirable? What's going on with this polarization between strength (=violence) and weakness (=submission)?
ReplyDelete