"Be a man" is a saying that is often heard, but what exactly does this mean? To some this phrase may seem insulting or abusive. Society has set the stereotype that men must exhibit "a manly air of toughness, confidence, and self-reliance and the aura of aggression, violence, and daring" (Devor 425). Ms. Devor has described what most Americans would call a "real" man. Men must constantly avoid anything associated with femininity. It is becoming more common to see men coming out of these assigned gender rolls but not without consequences of being labeled as "gay". Even homosexual men have been discriminated against for coming out of their assigned gender rolls that they are expected to follow. "The whole idea of manhood in America is pitiful" (Theroux 430). This is a very true statement; Americans act like men must be very tough all the time. It is unethical to label men as being homosexual because of the way they may chose to act. This type of ignorance leads to cruelty that is not deserved by these types of men. .
Today's man is expected to follow a certain path in life characterized by a disposition towards dominance and aggression, concerned only with goals, means and use of power. This is widely used in the relationships men carry on with women. "It is very hard to imagine any concept of manliness that does not belittle women." (430) For centuries men have been the most dominate ones in the household. They have been the ones to have the jobs while the women stay at home and take care of the children, clean the house, and answer to the man's ever demand. This is what is most commonly expected. Paul Theroux, the author of Being a Man comments that he never wanted to follow the traditional male gender roll. He feels as though being a man means to "be stupid, be unfeeling, obedient, soldierly and stop thinking" (430).
It may not seem like it in looking in the media today, but there are many men coming out of this "manly" way of life.
Ramirez's teachers described him as a quiet young man who kept to himself and turned his homework in on time. ... This was the first of many sterotypical signs carried by serial killers that Ramirez waould show. ...
Through Greg and Pam's experiences with sterotypical images and Greg's mishaps we see their love is true. ... Kevin is the best man in Pam's sister's wedding. ... It is very evident that Jack thinks very highly of his eldest daughter, and that he may not be very open to the idea of letting her marry a man, who in his mind may replace his spot in Pam's life. ... She is obviously in love with Greg which is plainly stated when she tells her mom that she believe Greg "is the one- referring to her beliefs that Greg appears to be the man she is meant to marry. ... A man, ...
In this country women are prohibited to drive, they can't travel without the consent of a man, they can't be seen in public without an abaya, they can't work and in general they are treated like second class citizens. ... However her defiant nature is somewhat suppressed over time and starts to affect her physical health, this is expressed on page 29, when Suha says, "When I confronted the man who was blocking my path, and was unable to push the stick out of the way or budge an inch, I knew that I didn't have control over my own life and was a prisoner of this stick and th...
These stereotypes will be analyzed independently and then juxtaposed with corresponding sterotypical female characters in the novel. ... She claims that the first is a man who, in brief, is aggressive (usually in a sexual sense) and exploitative towards women. The second stereotype is a man who professes unconditional love for a woman while doing away with the sexual dimension of amorous relationships. ... This means that, by virtue of him being the man in the relationship, he should be loved, taken care of, and compensated for, regardless of his shortcomings or misgivings. ... It is very e...