Toxic Masculinity
Toxic Masculinity

Author: Esther De Dauw

Publisher: Univ. Press of Mississippi

Published: 2020-08-25

Total Pages: 159

ISBN-13: 149682895X

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Contributions by Daniel J. Connell, Esther De Dauw, Craig Haslop, Drew Murphy, Richard Reynolds, Janne Salminen, Karen Sugrue, and James C. Taylor The superhero permeates popular culture from comic books to film and television to internet memes, merchandise, and street art. Toxic Masculinity: Mapping the Monstrous in Our Heroes asks what kind of men these heroes are and if they are worthy of the unbalanced amount of attention. Contributors to the volume investigate how the (super)hero in popular culture conveys messages about heroism and masculinity, considering the social implications of this narrative within a cultural (re)production of dominant, hegemonic values and the possibility of subaltern ideas, norms, and values to be imagined within that (re)production. Divided into three sections, the volume takes an interdisciplinary approach, positioning the impact of hypermasculinity on toxic masculinity and the vilification of “other” identities through such mediums as film, TV, and print comic book literature. The first part, “Understanding Super Men,” analyzes hegemonic masculinity and the spectrum of hypermasculinity through comics, television, and film, while the second part, “The Monstrous Other,” focuses on queer identity and femininity in these same mediums. The final section, “Strategies of Resistance,” offers criticism and solutions to the existing lack of diversity through targeted studies on the performance of gender. Ultimately, the volume identifies the ways in which superhero narratives have promulgated and glorified toxic masculinity and offers alternative strategies to consider how characters can resist the hegemonic model and productively demonstrate new masculinities.

The Man They Wanted Me to Be
The Man They Wanted Me to Be

Author: Jared Yates Sexton

Publisher: Catapult

Published: 2020-04-14

Total Pages: 273

ISBN-13: 1640093850

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This provocative, “critically important” memoir of working-class boyhood in rural Indiana offers a searing cultural analysis of toxic masculinity in American culture (NPR). As progressivism changes American society, and globalism shifts labor away from traditional manufacturing, the roles that have been prescribed to men since the Industrial Revolution have been rendered obsolete. Donald Trump's campaign successfully leveraged male resentment and entitlement, and now, with Trump as president and the rise of the #MeToo movement, it’s clear that our current definitions of masculinity are outdated and even dangerous. Deeply personal and thoroughly researched, the author of The People Are Going to Rise Like the Waters Upon Your Shore has turned his keen eye to our current crisis of masculinity using his upbringing in rural Indiana to examine the personal and societal dangers of the patriarchy. The Man They Wanted Me to Be examines how we teach boys what’s expected of men in America, and the long–term effects of that socialization―which include depression, shorter lives, misogyny, and suicide. Sexton turns his keen eye to the establishment of the racist patriarchal structure which has favored white men, and investigates the personal and societal dangers of such outdated definitions of manhood. “ . . . exposes the true cost of toxic masculinity . . . and takes aim at the patriarchal structures in American society that continue to uphold an outdated ideal of manhood.” —Book Riot

Is Masculinity Toxic? (The Big Idea Series) (The Big Idea Series)
Is Masculinity Toxic? (The Big Idea Series) (The Big Idea Series)

Author: Andrew Smiler

Publisher: Thames & Hudson

Published: 2019-10-15

Total Pages: 210

ISBN-13: 0500774773

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This timely title weighs masculinity’s capacity for good against its potential for destruction in the context of contemporary debates on the topic. In the wake of the MeToo movement and the upsurge in both feminist and men’s rights activism, traditional masculinity has become the topic of impassioned debate. Is Masculinity Toxic? interrogates the myths surrounding modern manhood, asking whether—and how—we need to change our attitudes toward masculinity in the twenty-first century. Therapist Andrew Smiler addresses the topic of masculinity in four chapters: “Evolving Understandings of Masculinity,” which examines the history of ideas about masculinity, “Male Power to Harm,” which dissects the societal impacts of “toxic” masculinity, including bullying behavior, rape culture, and early male mortality; “Men and Interpersonal Relationships,” discusses how men are encouraged not to express their feelings, the sexual objectification of women, and male attitudes toward fatherhood; and “Changing Face of Masculinity Today,” which details the ways in which masculinity might adapt to the last century’s sweeping changes in gender roles. Is Masculinity Toxic? revisits all sides of the debate, recognizing the positive impact of some of today’s models of masculinity while acknowledging the failures and limitations of others.

For the Love of Men
For the Love of Men

Author: Liz Plank

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Published: 2019-09-10

Total Pages: 326

ISBN-13: 1250196256

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A nonfiction investigation into masculinity, For The Love of Men provides actionable steps for how to be a man in the modern world, while also exploring how being a man in the world has evolved. In 2019, traditional masculinity is both rewarded and sanctioned. Men grow up being told that boys don’t cry and dolls are for girls (a newer phenomenon than you might realize—gendered toys came back in vogue as recently as the 80s). They learn they must hide their feelings and anxieties, that their masculinity must constantly be proven. They must be the breadwinners, they must be the romantic pursuers. This hasn’t been good for the culture at large: 99% of school shooters are male; men in fraternities are 300% (!) more likely to commit rape; a woman serving in uniform has a higher likelihood of being assaulted by a fellow soldier than to be killed by enemy fire. In For the Love of Men, Liz offers a smart, insightful, and deeply-researched guide for what we're all going to do about toxic masculinity. For both women looking to guide the men in their lives and men who want to do better and just don’t know how, For the Love of Men will lead the conversation on men's issues in a society where so much is changing, but gender roles have remained strangely stagnant. What are we going to do about men? Liz Plank has the answer. And it has the possibility to change the world for men and women alike.

Toxic Geek Masculinity in Media
Toxic Geek Masculinity in Media

Author: Anastasia Salter

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2017-11-08

Total Pages: 219

ISBN-13: 3319660772

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This book examines changing representations of masculinity in geek media, during a time of transition in which “geek” has not only gone mainstream but also become a more contested space than ever, with continual clashes such as Gamergate, the Rabid and Sad Puppies’ attacks on the Hugo Awards, and battles at conventions over “fake geek girls.” Anastasia Salter and Bridget Blodgett critique both gendered depictions of geeks, including shows like Chuck and The Big Bang Theory, and aspirational geek heroes, ranging from the Winchester brothers of Supernatural to BBC’s Sherlock and the varied superheroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Through this analysis, the authors argue that toxic masculinity is deeply embedded in geek culture, and that the identity of geek as victimized other must be redefined before geek culture and media can ever become an inclusive space.

Mascupathy
Mascupathy

Author: Charlie Donaldson

Publisher:

Published: 2014-06-01

Total Pages: 158

ISBN-13: 9780615898919

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Men often behave badly, and it's easy to assume that's just the way they are. Some can be grandiose and aggressive; many others are good guys but emotionally absent and relationally disappointing. Psychologists Charlie Donaldson and Randy Flood contend, however, that most men's behavior is neither capricious or malevolent, but a product of a socialized disorder "mascupathy" - an exaggeration of the genetically masculine traits (aggression and invulnerability) and minimal expression of inherently feminine characteristics (openness and sensitivity). Committed to helping men achieve rich, engaged lives, the authors propose a revolutionary way to think about men. Mascupathy shines a bright light of understanding, revealing unexpected transformations of men in stirring clinical accounts. This is an eye, mind, and heart-opening book full of compelling reasons to feel optimistic about the future of men and the people who love them.

Amateur
Amateur

Author: Thomas Page McBee

Publisher: Scribner

Published: 2019-05-14

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 1501168754

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*Shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Nonfiction *Shortlisted for the Lambda Literary Award *Shortlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize One of The Times UK’s Best Memoirs of 2018, BuzzFeed’s Best Nonfiction of 2018, Autostraddle’s Best LGBT Books of 2018, and 52 Insight’s Favorite Nonfiction Books of 2018 A “no-holds-barred examination of masculinity” (BuzzFeed) and violence from award-winning author Thomas Page McBee. In this “refreshing and radical” (The Guardian) narrative, Thomas McBee, a trans man, sets out to uncover what makes a man—and what being a “good” man even means—through his experience training for and fighting in a charity boxing match at Madison Square Garden. A self-described “amateur” at masculinity, McBee embarks on a wide-ranging exploration of gender in society, examining sexism, toxic masculinity, and privilege. As he questions the limitations of gender roles and the roots of masculine aggression, he finds intimacy, hope, and even love in the experience of boxing and in his role as a man in the world. Despite personal history and cultural expectations, “Amateur is a reminder that the individual can still come forward and fight” (The A.V. Club). “Sharp and precise, open and honest,” (Women’s Review of Books), McBee’s writing asks questions “relevant to all people, trans or not” (New York Newsday). Through interviews with experts in neuroscience, sociology, and critical race theory, he constructs a deft and thoughtful examination of the role of men in contemporary society. Amateur is a graceful and uncompromising look at gender by a fearless, fiercely honest writer.

Dissolving Toxic Masculinity
Dissolving Toxic Masculinity

Author: Thomas Haller

Publisher:

Published: 2018-04-20

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13: 9780982156865

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Our society is riddled with men behaving badly. Sexual harassment, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and misogyny run rampant through politics, Hollywood, professional and amateur sports, college campuses, and our daily work environment. The societal standards dictating that men be strong, unemotional, aggressive, and dominant over women have created toxic masculinity. These social standards have an influence on the development of our sons, and if we leave it up to someone else to teach them about masculinity, we greatly increase the potential for their growing up to be chauvinistic, misogynistic, bigoted men who believe they are none of those things. Voices throughout the country have been shouting the demand for change. Many of these voices call on women to alter their attitudes and behavior, implying that a man's misogynistic behavior is women's fault. Dissolving toxic masculinity cannot and must not come from calling upon girls and women to change. We heed the call for change by raising our boys to be emotionally healthy masculine men, a process that begins at home. Change happens when parents embody and model what they want to see in their children. Our society is riddled with men behaving badly. Sexual harassment, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and misogyny run rampant through politics, Hollywood, professional and amateur sports, college campuses, and our daily work environment. The societal standards dictating that men be strong, unemotional, aggressive, and dominant over women have created toxic masculinity. These social standards have an influence on the development of our sons, and if we leave it up to someone else to teach them about masculinity, we greatly increase the potential for their growing up to be chauvinistic, misogynistic, bigoted men who believe they are none of those things. Voices throughout the country have been shouting the demand for change. Many of these voices call on women to alter their attitudes and behavior, implying that a man's misogynistic behavior is women's fault. Dissolving toxic masculinity cannot and must not come from calling upon girls and women to change. We heed the call for change by raising our boys to be emotionally healthy masculine men, a process that begins at home. Change happens when parents embody and model what they want to see in their children. The 9 lessons presented in Dissolving Toxic Masculinity by psychotherapist and family therapist Thomas Haller, LMSW, DST are designed to help us raise boys who embrace an attitude of compassion, empathy, kindness, and respect for women. It's time we rise to the challenge.

Toxic Masculinity
Toxic Masculinity

Author: Stephen M. Whitehead

Publisher: Andrews UK Limited

Published: 2021-04-29

Total Pages: 173

ISBN-13: 1789821894

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Humankind is at the tipping point in its greatest-ever revolution - a revolution in gender relationships, gender identities and gender power. Women are confidently on the rise while men and their behaviours are under scrutiny like never before. At the core of this historic shift lies 'toxic masculinity'. You'll have heard the term, but do you know what it means? Where does TM come from? Who has it? How does one catch the TM virus? What does it look like? What does it mean for women, love and relationships? Is it the only masculinity out there? And, most importantly, how can we get rid of it? This fascinating, insightful and engaging book provides all the answers while exploring the most pressing issue of the 21st century. Informed by the author's 30 years of research into men and masculinities and the latest global studies, this book is the definitive examination of modern man and a must read for anyone concerned with the future of men, gender and sexual relationships.

Toxic Masculinity, Casino Capitalism, and America's Favorite Card Game
Toxic Masculinity, Casino Capitalism, and America's Favorite Card Game

Author: Andrew Manno

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2020-02-19

Total Pages: 215

ISBN-13: 3030402606

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Poker is a centuries-old American game. Why has it become so popular in the twenty-first century? What does current interest in the game tell us about ourselves and some of our most pressing social issues? In this timely and thought-provoking book, Andrew Manno offers important insights into the intersection of gaming, gender, and capitalism that illuminate how the shift to a casino capitalist economy—combined with a culture of toxic masculinity—impacts workers and how it has led to the rise of populism in the United States that manifested in the 2016 election of Donald Trump.