We Should Reject Traditional Masculinity

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We Should Reject Traditional Masculinity

• Article by Cooper Thompson
• Presentation by Carleen Sanders

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Outline

• Introduction
• Outline
• Question
• The article
• A new image of strength
• Learning violence
• The cost of masculinity
• New socialization for boys
• Schools and athletics
• Boys will be boys
• Review

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If you woke up tomorrow and discovered that you
were the opposite sex from the one you are now,
how would your life be different?

• Girls positive response. Less victimization,
  increased independence and career
  opportunities.

• Boys negative response. Disgust and refusal to
  answer the question.
• If I were a girl, I would be stupid and weak as
  a string.
• If I were a girl, Id kill myself.

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A New Image of Strength

• New image permanent, woman and lion. Force is
  not involved.

• Old image temporary, based on dominance and
  control acquired through the humiliation of
  others

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Learning Violence

• Homophobia the hate and fear of gayness.

• Misogyny the hate of woman

• Combined the hatred of feminine qualities

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The cost of Masculinity

• Boys should be tough (aggressive, competitive,
  and daring) causes pain and insecurity in a
  boys life

• Boys should not posses nurturance (loving,
  caring, and gentle) causes greater emotional
  distance from other people and few opportunities
  to participate in meaningful relationships.

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New Socialization for Boys

• There is a biological difference, but environment
  and culture have a greater impact on defining
  masculinity.
• The new man
• Accepts vulnerability, expresses a range of
  emotions, learns to ask for help and support.
• be gentle, nurturant, cooperative, and
  communicative . . . Learn non-violent ways of
  resolving conflicts.
• Accepts traditionally feminine behavior.

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Schools and Athletics

• Participation in athletics easily becomes a
  lesson in toughness, invulnerability, and
  dominance.

• Schools should be a place for boys to learn the
  more feminine qualities nurturance,
  non-violent conflict resolution, and strategies
  for empathizing with and empowering others.

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Boys will be Boys

• If schools were to radically alter this culture
  and substitute for it a new vision of
  masculinity, what would that look like?

• Express all emotions
• Re-arrange values
• Fathering
• More respect for females
• All talent equally appreciated

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Review

• Combined, ______ and ______, are the hatred of
  feminine qualities.
• Toughness is a positive quality in men but ______
  is a negative quality in men according to
  society.
• While biological differences are definitely
  present, ______ has a greater influence on
  masculinity.