Gender stereotypes are embedded into our culture.
Since the ancient world, certain traits have been associated with masculinity. Today, these stereotypes are a lot more pronounced. However, it isn’t because we are more accepting of them. Rather, it has more to do with the mainstream media constantly bombarding us with the same tropes.
Many of the stereotypes we come across might seem mild and harmless. Others might take masculinity to its logical extreme and create impossible standards for young men and boys. However, as we move towards a more accepting culture, a lot of the stereotypes surrounding manliness and what it means to be manly are shifting.
‘Manly’ Entertainment
A lot of the mainstream entertainment we see today was once considered ‘manly.’ An excellent example would be video games. When the world was first introduced to publicly available gaming consoles, most of the titles were aimed at a young male audience. But, as people began playing games more and more, so too did women. Today, girls make up a large part of the gaming industry.
On a related note, we have gambling and casinos. When these establishments first opened, the casino hall would often only be available to men. However, as ideas about gender norms shifted, women were much more likely to enter the gambling sector. Today, online casinos like Royal Panda in Canada have closed the gender gap even further, creating a much more equal market. In fact, close to 40% of online gamblers identify as female.
Of course, we have to bring up the view of sports as a manly pastime too. For most of human history, certain sports have been performed solely by men. However, as husbands, brothers, boyfriends, and friends shared their passion with their female counterparts, women became more invested in sports, and the need for a women’s category arose. Women’s sports continue to gain popularity today. The Women’s NBA is especially successful among both female and male audiences.
Entertainment is often disregarded as an unimportant aspect of culture and society. For that reason, the stereotypes we’ve discussed so far may not seem like a big deal. But, like all stereotypes regarding masculinity, those linked to entertainment can be quite harmful to the self-esteem and worldview of young men and boys.
Negative Impacts of ‘Manly’ Stereotypes
There is nothing inherently wrong with conforming to masculine norms. Sometimes, it is necessary to confront issues with a degree of stoicism. In terms of entertainment, people will like what they like, and certainly some things in culture are designed with men in mind. But, it is important to understand that there are those that will not conform.
For every few guys that like to watch the latest football game, there is at least one that doesn’t. If we classify sports as a ‘male-only’ activity or a stereotypically male pastime, it excludes all those men who might not enjoy it. The issue here is that such an exclusion could lead to feelings of isolation. Feeling isolated from the in-group is a primary cause for mental ailments and negatively impacts a person’s life. The issues could also manifest as frustration and anger, which might even have physical side effects.
Bullying is another problem that arises from stereotypes surrounding masculinity, especially among pubescent and teenage boys. If one of them is seen as less manly, then they may be harassed or humiliated for their behavior. Obviously, such bullying could impact their mental and social development.
The Changing Definition of ‘Manly’
Throughout history, we’ve seen the definition of what it means to be ‘manly’ change. Many of us today believe that what it means to be a man has remained unchanged. But, the more we analyze history, the more we will find that this is far from the truth. From the smallest, most benign details to the core of what ‘manly’ stands for, the definitions have shifted.
One of the most interesting examples of how ‘manly’ is changing is the color pink. Originally, the color adorned men’s clothing. It often was used to dye accessories, as mixing it was quite a trial. A man who wore pink was seen as one with status. However, as the color became a lot more widely available, and women were drawn towards it, the ‘manliness’ of pink veined. Today, pink is the de facto ‘girly’ color.
Historically, dressing up was also a lot more important, even as early back as the 20th century. During the 50s and 60s, it was seen as manly for a guy to care about his appearance and dress sharp. Today, however, spending too much time worrying about looks might be seen as a womanly trait.
Do Men Have to be Manly?
Society is changing. We are marching towards a more progressive and accepting world. We no longer believe that people should act in any specific way based on their gender. Certainly, there are traits and behaviors that have been historically associated with men that could benefit everyone. It isn’t always good to take a stoic approach to things. But, in a time of crisis, that kind of approach can certainly help. The thing to remember is that men aren’t the only ones who take a stoic approach to issues.
Furthermore, a lot of ‘manly’ stereotypes are holding men back. For example, for centuries men may have dealt with skin issues due to a negative view towards grooming. However, with the new era of self-care, many guys are finding out that creams and lotions can actually be a great way to pre-emptively address major skin issues.
Ultimately, while we don’t discourage men from acting as they wish, we would like to say that acting ‘manly’ is not necessary.
