The term masculinity is a
gender identity that is presumably associated with males. For “normal” males,
being masculine is seen as the objective. However, for “normal” females being
masculine is an undesirable trait. When I say “normal”, I am speaking on behalf
of what society deems standard. C.J Pascoe says that masculinity is not a homogenous
characteristic that any boy posses simply because they are male, but rather
understood as practices that youth (boys and girls) may encounter due to
societal influence. Mentioned in the excerpt, boys typically confirm their
masculinity during adolescence. During our youth, we (boys and girls) were
taught that a well- ordered society relies on male display of an “instrumental”
role and female display of an “expressive” role (Pascoe 45). Any sense of stray
from either role would result in “role competition” and “weaken society”
(Pascoe 45). So instead, we teach our children to stay between the lines and to
understand the roles as black and white
(like the photo). Queer theorist Judith Butler, mentions how
gendered beings are created through a process (49). When people reference or
subtly encourage a gender norm, the norm becomes more powerful. The norm I
would like to reference is the words we associate masculinity with. Although
the girl squatting 225 lbs in the picture is presenting impressive physical strength, it is more so a metaphor for
all strength, dominance, ability, power associated with being masculine, or
better yet being a masculine male. I chose this activity specifically for the
picture because being physically strong and masculinity are collective to one
another. In fact, I am sure it is one of the first aspects people correspond
with being masculine, so I wanted to share that ability with the female body.
As you look at this picture, I am sure you noticed her reflection is blurred.
The mirror is a representation of societal standards rejecting what is
considered not “normal” and reflecting what is. The girl lifting weights,
straying from normality and displaying what is considered a masculine trait is
rejected, while the men who express masculinity by going to a gym, gaining
muscle mass, and expressing their heterosexuality is reflected. A society
reflects what is teaches, what it encourages, and what it values. Instead of
conforming young boys to be emotionless, tough, and detached or conforming
young girls to be delicate, submissive, and idealized, society must reflect
characteristics of acceptance, respect, and equality. As Pascoe states, “while
challenging an unequal gender order at the level of interactions does not
necessarily address larger structural inequalities, it is an important
component of social change” (50). Unmasking masculinity is an important
component of social change.
Works Cited
Pascoe,
C. J. "MAKING MASCULINITY: Adolescence, Identity, and High School
(2011)."
2007. Introduction to Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. Ed. L. Ayu Saraswati,
Barbara L. Shaw, and Heather
Rellihan. N.p.: Oxford UP, 2018. 43-51. Print.
6 comments:
From : N.
Masculinity is linked to men most times and it is something that women can be shamed for if they try to gain muscle or dress masculine. I do agree that children are taught to be either masculine or feminine depending on their gender.If a child goes outside “the lines”, then the parents are ridiculed or even worse, sometimes the child is by other children. Those feelings of discouragement are the same feelings other people at the gym may think about when they see a female lifting more than she probably weighs.The place where the photo was taken is in a open space where she is not hiding, but is proudly doing her routine. She is mindful that society may judge her because of that, but in the black and whiteness of the photo reflects that people will either like it or not.The man standing off to the side has two hands on his hips, looking like he’s observing her. He may not say it, but he is probably thinking about how she’s a female lifting all those heavy weights just like he can.It is often insinuated that women are weak and unable, but she is proving him wrong. In reference to masculinity and the gym, masculinity is usually portrayed as strong. If we look at childrens toys or any classic superhero there is a greater amount of male figures, and most of those figures have unrealistic bodies.It is not uncommon for a little boy to see those figures and instantly desire to be a replica of them. Masculinity is not a new theme in society at all, but like many other themes it is understated until it is discussed. People tend to not see the effects that masculine and feminine gender roles have because it is often covered up by social norms.
From: Linh
I definitely agree that masculinity is a term that we generally associate with males instead of females and that we need to cease creating these associations if we want to prevent boys and girls from growing up in two different spheres of cultures. When we link the gender identity of “masculine” to boys at such a young age, they are raised to always be tough, fearless, and aggressive. They’re taught to always play rough, feel regretful if they cry, and are never taught how to properly talk about their feelings. This also works both ways as well, since girls are taught to be dainty, submissive, and pretty. Girls are taught to feel as though they cannot be masculine because it’s “only for the boys”. But masculinity does not necessarily mean men, it can mean strength and power. In the photo “Unmasking Masculinity”, the first creative element I noticed is that the picture is in black & white. I link that to the word unmasking because to unmask something is to reveal it, and the fact that the picture is in black & white shows that we still have yet to show everyone the issue of masculinity in our society. Having the reflection of the girl blurred in the mirror says to me that society cannot see a woman weightlifting because it is considered an activity for men. The blurring of the girl’s reflection also garners attention to the man standing next to her. One could believe that he is spotting her to prevent an accident happening, but it could also represent men’s and society’s gaze scrutinizing women and watching over them when they are performing tasks that do not fit their assigned gender roles.
From: Alyssa
This photo was a great way to show the gender differences within masculinity. If you are a woman who tends to have more masculine features than that is frowned upon by society. Which in no way should be the case for our society. If a woman wants to be more muscular then so be it she shouldn’t be stopped because of what some people may think she should look like. I believe this was a great photo because in the actual photo the viewers can’t see the girls actual face. The photo was blurred to eliminate the some of the stereotypes with what masculinity is. We can only see her the side view of her body lifting the weights with men around her. The angle of the photo was taken beautifully. We have to interpret that the person lifting the weighs is in fact a woman by using our context clues for what a woman is “supposed” to look like. The black and white contrast also feeds into adds to this concept for us to think about what “masculinity” is. We assume the that the person lifting the weights is a woman because the person has long hair, smaller arm muscles than the men, and also wearing leggings. Those features are what typically a woman would wear or do. But the use of color also plays a big role in determining male versus female and when the author removed that the stereotype of masculinity was broken. I think the men standing around watching is also a great use of a creative element, to show the tone of the photo, how men our always watching women and men are the superiors. Because she is squatting the weighs by herself it shows a sense of power that isn’t normally associated with women and “unmasking masculinity” in one of its purest forms.
From: K.
Although the gym is supposed to be a place for everyone to go and improve our bodies, what we do at the gym and the exercises we perform are clearly linked to gender roles. Men are supposed to lift the heaviest weights, have the biggest muscles and look masculine like action figures have become today. Women are supposed to do more trimming exercises like biking, low weights/ high reps and look fit (but not too fit) and slender. In the picture we can’t clearly tell what sex the one lifting the heavy weights is because their face and body is either covered up or blurred out of the photo. But we can still make assumptions that come from the same gender roles, such as how they have long hair that looks to be in a braid or pony tail. I think the woman’s face is blurred out not just as a way to hide their identity to the viewer and to the world that rejects them, but also as a symbol that it shouldn’t matter. We should simply be impressed by how much weight they are able to squat. Also in the mirror, we can see that not only is the woman squatting the heavy weights on her own, but also being watched by 2 men (presumably, based on the second one’s shorts). They aren’t helping her, just watching, making their own opinions about her strength. We don’t know if the men’s opinions of her are positive or negative, whether or not if she will be praised or ridiculed by society for breaking gender roles.
In this photo it shows the gender differences within masculinity Society today pressures women to be a certain way. For the most part women are expected to be feminine and passive, they are perceived as fragile and not very masculine. This photo is a good representation of gender roles because in the actual photo the viewers can’t see the girls face. The technique of blurring the woman’s face is a great way to get the viewers to question their gender. In the photo we can only see her the side view of her body lifting the weights with men around her. Through putting two and two together we can try to interpret that the person lifting the weighs is a woman by using different clues for what a woman looks like. The black and white them also gives us an idea of what “masculinity”. Through analyzing on may perceive the person lifting the weights is a woman because of the long hair, and her muscles are not as strong and big as the men, and finally her attire she’s wearing is different from what a man would normally wear. Overall the color scheme of the photo really breaks the barrier between men and women and as the men are watching her it sort of shows how men overpower women. As she works out on her own with no help doing her squats, it shows she is in control rather than a man being in control which really shows the unmasking of masculinity.
From: Amanda
This photo is something I can personally relate too. I too am that girl in the gym who can lift heavier weights. I don't do it to be "strong like a man" , I do it because I enjoy pushing myself to achieve greater. I recently was squatting 225 and the man next to me said "wow thats really impressive for a girl, you lift better than half of the dudes in here" I didn't know whether I should take that as a compliment or an insult. Why did I need to be compared to a man? Are only men strong? This leaves women thinking that if they pick up weights they will look too "masculine." Well who sets these standards? I was also compared to man for being a able to carry a box on my own. It's crazy how society has these social standards of what makes a man a man and what makes a woman a woman. This is why I find your photo so important. Blurring out the woman from the front and only allowing a side view makes the viewer see the picture as a person squatting a heavier weight, not a female lifting heavy or a male lifting light. Yes from the side view you can see typical female features but you still cannot be certain as to whether is it a male or female in the photo. And that is how it should be. How much a person can lift shouldn't make him less masculine or her too masculine.
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