It seems that every single year Esquire magazine (although probably not alone in this among men's magazines), they have one issue that is completely devoted to 'how to be a man'. And this year I bought an issue, it was during summer break, just to see what they would say. The concept to me seems so weird to have a complete issue that is completely devoted to 'explaining' how to be a man. Why would you need someone to tell you how to be your own sex? Besides showing how constructed gender is. But also what does it say about the readership that is involved in the interaction with the magazine.
I remember one of the articles in particular, something along the lines of crises in fatherhood. It seemed so overdone to me, since it that concept is not new at all. It seems that in intervals, some magazine or mode of publication comes out with an article or issue pertaining to issues of fatherhood or manhood. Reading the article to me seemed kind of stupid as harsh as that is to say. To me with any part of parenthood I thought that it would be completely blatant of how hard it is, and how much work and effort one has to do. In the article it was talking about issues of not having enough time for their children. Or thinking that they might be inadequate for the job. Personally I just kind of don't understand, because it seems like a parent issue rather than a crisis of fatherhood. The only way that I would see it as a crisis, is a different set up of expectations of what it means to be a parent.
I do know that every magazine does cater to its audience. But with Esquire's reason why it even exists in the first place, being a propeller of what manhood is and similar to why Playboy started, a part of me doesn't understand its purpose. I do get it, but at the same time if it is so natural how would there be crises of manhood and why have a whole issue devoted in being a man.
this article is from 2009, but esquire is like cosmo regurgitating the same falsehoods as some form of truism. http://www.esquire.com/features/what-is-a-man-0509
I love this post because it really reflects the reality that gender is socially constructed. If "acting like a man" was 'natural' then there would be no need for there to be entire magazines published to reaffirm it.
ReplyDeleteIt is just really annoying that one has to act through society's expectations in order to fit in. It makes it acceptable to ostracize those who do not fit into these roles. If a women is a tomboy or a man is not completely masculine, then society tells you that you are not normal.
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