LET'S TALK ABOUT MASCULINITY IDEOLOGY.

The concept of masculinity ideology evolved from the theories of social construction (Kimmel, 1987). This concept refers to sets of culturally defined standards of masculinity to which men are expected to adhere (Pleck, 1995), or the “endorsement and internalization of cultural belief systems about masculinity and the male gender, rooted in the structural relationship between the two sexes” (Pleck, Sonenstein, & Ku, 1993, p.88). 

Traditional gender role socialization serves to uphold patriarchal codes by requiring that males adopt dominant behaviors (Levant et al., 2010). Some studies, such as those of Sinn (1997) and Jacobs (1996), have demonstrated that a traditional model of masculinity is related to negative attitudes towards gender equality. On the other hand, research into the predictors of gender awareness (e.g. perceiving discrimination against women) has shown it is associated with the recognition of discrimination and the existence of sexism (Henderson-King & Stewart, 1994; Williams & Wittig, 1997).

We use the term “masculinity ideology”, as introduced by Pleck (1995), to refer to sets of culturally defined standards of masculinity to which men are expected to adhere. According to Thompson and Pleck (1986), masculinity ideology is a particular constellation of dimensions upon which some individuals base their conception of masculinity. These dimensions are defined as the relative norm for toughness (in the physical as well as the mental and emotional sense), the norm related to the status, and, finally, the antifemininity norm. While the dimension of toughness refers to the expectations of men to be strong, competent, and capable of solving their emotional problems in an appropriate way, the status dimension is defined as labor, economic and professional success, and it is generally associated with a high income. Finally, the antifemininity norm is defined as the belief that men should avoid those behaviors and tasks typically attributed to women.

Are we in crisis? I think men’s displays of sadness, loneliness, affection, love, and friendship must be as authentic and necessary and not as signs of weakness or a failure to be a “real man". There are some men's movements (group discussions) that provide support networks and learning together to reconstructing how men socialize in their environment. Things are not going to change overnight. I believe new masculinity or masculinities as many as possible advocate tend to be very vocal, and fiercely dedicated to the diversity of ways in which men can express their manhood, often defying social conventions that have guided us for generations.