Masculinity and Violence

     This week in class we discussed masculinity and violence. What makes a man masculine? Some would say rugged good looks, tall, muscular, athletic, rough, tough, etc. One of the subjects we discussed as a symbol of masculinity was the "Marlboro Man." He has been used in television and print ads for decades to sell cigarettes and has been successful due to the symbols of masculinity people apply to him. First of all, he's a cowboy. Most people think of cowboys as tough and self-sufficient. They also generally think of cowboys as rugged and handsome. These are just some of the qualities often used to define masculinity.
     We also discussed the prevalence of violent content in mass media. The two articles we read had opposing view on the impact this violent content had on our youth. One article felt that our youth were being harmed by the violence in TV, movies and games. This harm came in an increase in violent acts and a desensitization to violence. The other article felt that there were other factors that were to blame than violent media. They felt poverty, parenting, and other factors played a bigger role.
     One thing is clear about violence and masculinity. That is the fact that mass media often uses violence to define masculinity. Look at all action movies. It is usually a large, muscled tough guy in the lead role. Every Arnold Schwarzenegger film is built around violence, and I doubt you would find anyone who would argue that he isn't masculine. In Pulp Fiction, a graphicly violent film, Samuel L Jackson and John Travolta play hit men. They are depicted as rough, tough, no-nonsense types who would be described as very masculine. In media, the maculine guy is the guy who never shies away from a fight, and usually wins.