Men’s Issues & Socialization of Masculinity Assignment
“Masculinity as Homophobia: Fear, Shame, and Silence in the Construction of Gender Identity”
(only need to read first 3 pages)
1.) The author, Dr. Michael Kimmel, discusses some of the markers of masculinity, concepts that define males as men. What are some of the things he mentions that show manhood?
2.) According to Kimmel, homophobia is not necessarily the irrational fear of gay men, but_____________.
a.) a fear of being unmasked as a sissy, viewed as effeminate, or not manly enough according to the standards of other men
b.) the hatred for gays and lesbians and people of sexualities unlike themselves
c.) the fear of being seen as hyper-masculine
3.) Kimmel says that the stakes for males being viewed as a “sissy” are enormous for males. What are some of the behaviors that males engage in to prove manhood, and what are some of the consequences?
4.) A research survey asked males and females what they are most of afraid of in life. What was the majority response for females and for males? What do you think about these responses? What does the male response reveal about society’s expectations of males?
“Constructions of Masculinity and their influence on Men’s Well-being: A Theory of Gender & Health”
(only need to read first 5 pages)
5.) This article cites the Department of Health and Human Services statistic that men have a lower life expectancy than women. Men die an average of ______________ younger than women.
a.) 2 years b) 5 years c.) 3-6 months d.) 7 years
6.) The article states that “the social experiences of men and women provide a template that guides belief and behavior.” What aspects of masculinity (according to the article) are correlated with so many males not participating in health-promoting behaviors?
7.) Deaths due to cancer, among males, have increased by ____________ over the last 35 years.
a.) 5% b.) 10% c.) 15% d.) 20%
8.) Men are more likely than women to see a physician for health issues. True False
“Why Do So Many Men Die by Suicide
?”
9.) According to the article, when young men are asked about which emotions they feel comfortable showing males responded that anger and happiness are the easiest to show. Which emotions did they report having difficulty expressing?
a.) excitement, arousal, and anger b.) affection, sadness, and fear c.) laughter and joy
10.) According to a national AARP study, how many men report feelings of loneliness?
a.) 30% (for males over 45) b) 2% (for males over 45) c.) all single males
11.) What are some aspects of “manhood” (ways that males are socialized) that potentially result in higher rates suicide for males?
12.) The author discusses how manhood itself is not a mental health disorder or the problem. According to the author, what is the problem?
13.) Research shows that males are even less likely than females to tell someone if they have been sexually violated or abused. Think about socialized gender roles and the differing expectations that society places on males of females. Why might it be more difficult for males to report being sexually abused?
14.) During the great depression, suicides hit an extremely high rate, and the majority of those who took their own lives were males. Why do you think more males would be experiencing depression and suicidal ideations? What expectations are placed more highly on men that could lead to this (think about when we discussed Durkheim)? How could a change or social shift of our social expectations/gender roles of males and females help to reduce this problem?
15.) Military veterans are particularly vulnerable to the risk of suicide, in comparison to their civilian counterparts. While females also serve in the military, the proportion of those who commit suicide is much greater for males. Some factors include PTSD, feelings of disconnection to civilian society, feelings of not having a defined purpose or sense of comradery after returning home, sometimes guilt of specific actions taken in war that call one’s morality into question once they are outside of the situation, exposure to loss and stressful circumstances, dismemberment, etc. The VA has programs in place to assist in reducing veteran suicides, yet so many veterans do not seek help and unfortunately take their own lives. Aside from the factors listed above, how is the prevalence of this issue linked to concepts of masculinity and manhood? Why do so many men avoid asking for help and why it would it be even less among men who are in the military? What can we do to create change and help resolve this issue?
