I am doing a paper for a sociology class on how images of masculinity portrayed by the media hurt the male population, and I was wondering if anybody new any good articles, or even good examples (tv, movies, etc.) that pertain to this topic. Thanks
Your paper is going to suck because images of masculinity portrayed by the media don't hurt the male population, they only hurt those male individuals who buy into that metrosexual bullshit and waste all their money trying to look as much like women as possible.
However, I can tell you from experience that no sociology professor wants the hear the truth, which is that the ability to be adversely affected by audio/video media is not a property of a population or group of people at all. Since only an individual has the ability to perceive and the individual's perception is inherently personal, sensory input such as media information can only affect people on the individual level.
So basically if you want to get a good grade on a sociology paper, I suggest you create the most absurd and sensationalist load of nonsense you can compose. Just blame everything that's wrong with anything on the media, or white people, or wealthy people, or men (if your professor is a woman and most of them are), and you'll pretty much get an A.
Apr-06-2005 17:19
Shakka
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Feb 2003
Location:
How about the Marlboro Man promoting smoking, which is bad for your health?
Apr-06-2005 17:43
trancaholic
Danish Prophet of Doom
Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aalborg
quote:
Originally posted by Arbiter
Your paper is going to suck because images of masculinity portrayed by the media don't hurt the male population, they only hurt those male individuals who buy into that metrosexual bullshit and waste all their money trying to look as much like women as possible.
How can you be so sure that he's talking about the metrosexual image? Considering his "Sin City"-comment, I would have thought he was referring to the macho-cool-as-ice-no-feelings-at-all guy?
Apr-06-2005 19:08
Subey
Her Soul Mate
Registered: Nov 2003
Location: The corner where 'l' resolves into '<'
quote:
Originally posted by Arbiter
However, I can tell you from experience that no sociology professor wants the hear the truth, which is that the ability to be adversely affected by audio/video media is not a property of a population or group of people at all. Since only an individual has the ability to perceive and the individual's perception is inherently personal, sensory input such as media information can only affect people on the individual level.
hmmm,
you ignore the fact that even a cursory examination of the perception of fashion tells us that humans participate in a collective interpretation of reality... and it doesn't stop at fashion.
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Apr-06-2005 20:27
smokeape
Lowland Trance Addict
Registered: Jul 2003
Location: Heart of Dixie
Re: Masculinity in the U.S. and the World
quote:
Originally posted by kush paintings
I am doing a paper for a sociology class on how images of masculinity portrayed by the media hurt the male population, and I was wondering if anybody new any good articles, or even good examples (tv, movies, etc.) that pertain to this topic. Thanks
Ask Orbax... he's the self proclaimed subject matter expert.
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Apr-06-2005 22:55
kush paintings
Balance 005 Romantic
Registered: Jun 2004
Location:
Let me preface this by saying I do not intend to start a flame war. I am definently up for a debate though. I disagree with you to a certain extent, Arbiter. I have a very liberal teacher, and attend a very liberal university, and I do see the inherit bias when the majority of what I learn is social-conflict arguements. However, they are right to a certain extent, although they do take it to far sometimes when blamming many indviduals problems on society.
As for the media negatively influencing males, I think you grossly underestimate just how much is embedded in your subconcious. You should really read some masculinity theories, they may shock you as you may finding them to be describing exactly how you act, as they do for me. The only problem is they always seem to go a step to far as suggesting men should become feminine rather that just better people (and the same can be said of women). I will discuss more later when I have more time.
Registered: Jan 2002
Location: Ketchup fields, Texas
quote:
Originally posted by Subey
hmmm,
you ignore the fact that even a cursory examination of the perception of fashion tells us that humans participate in a collective interpretation of reality... and it doesn't stop at fashion.
How can you explain oddities like Michael Jackson and punks then?
Not all humans participate in collective interpertation, therefore participoating in collective interpertation is an individual choice.
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Originally posted by Yoepus
How can you explain oddities like Michael Jackson and punks then?
Not all humans participate in collective interpertation, therefore participoating in collective interpertation is an individual choice.
Exactly. Not everybody participates in the latest fashions or trends. They only propagate themselves due to a few prevalent traits: the desire to fit in, the desire to emulate some celebrity or celebrities in general (who are really nothing more than pawns to begin with.)
This should not be mistaken with the notion that the perception of these images somehow affects the collective directly. It only affects those parts of the collective that are receptive to the suggestions being made.
Apr-07-2005 08:47
Johan (DJ Irish)
dj bum
Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Malmööööö!
Re: Masculinity in the U.S. and the World
quote:
Originally posted by kush paintings
I am doing a paper for a sociology class on how images of masculinity portrayed by the media hurt the male population, and I was wondering if anybody new any good articles, or even good examples (tv, movies, etc.) that pertain to this topic. Thanks
I would recomend the book "Stiffed: The Betrayal of the American Man" by Susan Faludi. It's perhaps a bit broader than the theme for your paper but it brings a very good discussion about the problems of living up to the masculine-myth of the western society. I think it starts after WWII, with the generation that had to live up to their heroic fathers legacy and then it goes on until late 90's. It's definetly worth a read, even for those of you not writing a paper for sociology class