Contemporary Masculinity

This video by Jackson Katz - Tough Guise - sets out how being a "real man" is perceived by males from an early age, through family influence but most dominantly, in our modern world, through media images. Men filmed in the video describe desirable male attributes as being tough, strong, powerful, independent, physical, in control and respected. Images of Latino and Asian American men for example,are often portrayed as tough guys - boxers, martial arts experts, or violent criminals. Violence is shown as being normal rather than deviant. Statistics with regard to domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse seek to prove that men are most commonly victims of other men's bullying and violence rather than women.

This surely poses a problem for many men in society if they are not particularly physical or strong, or even wish to display that and those 'others' who are at the bottom of the economic ladder, who may have great problems gaining respect or being in control.

Jill Glazier

This video suggests there need to be big changes in institutions and in culture to give men a clear idea of what it is to be a man.