Week 6: Mediated examples of masculinity as specifically sexualized

This week we discussed the topic of Conflating Gender and Sexuality: Masculinity. The four articles we read discussed masculinity in a variety of ways. First, an article about eroticism by D. Berkowitz, "Consuming eroticism: Gender performance and presentations in pornographic establishments," this article discussed the term "compulsory hetero" meaning that heterosexuality is normal. In most examples I can think of, heterosexuality is dominant throughout the media and in our society and culture. I’ve also noticed in this past week while we discuss relationships and actions that take place between two individuals we don’t specify when talking about males and females. However, if we are discussing actions between two people of the same gender, then we verbally verify that we are discussing a homosexual relationship. In class we talked about the differences of being heterosexual and homosexual in our society. Most importantly we recognized a problem: if you’re homosexual that is your primary identity. You can no longer be just an artist, athlete or teacher. Instead, you’re a gay musician, gay baseball player and gay professor. Furthermore, when I am talking about the actions of a male I will relate to him as being masculine as the norm. If he is not masculine I will most likely describe him as being feminine or weird, because he would be seen as different in my opinion.

When examining sex in the media, there is an issue of quantity over quality. The bigger the billboard, the longer the commercial airs, the better. This does not include the content of the advertisements or the words exchanged in a script. Therefore, if there is a commercial with 300 women chasing a man down a beach because he’s wearing cologne, what is this saying? Does it mean that women are easily distracted? Why do producers choose not to explain their reasoning and instead leave us guessing at their brainless productions?

Masculinity within the media is rarely toyed with and when masculinity is manipulated it is extremely obvious because it is out of the norm. Masculinity can be manipulated in a number of ways, but the most obvious is when men are seen as hyper-sexualized and feminine. For example, for a man to be holding himself and a small dog, this would be looked at as feminine or even more judgmental, that he is homosexual.

As discussed in another article we read this week, “Centerfold Syndrome” by Gary Brooks, masculinity has elements in which create an accurately portrayed masculine individual. Brooks claims these elements of masculinity and the downplay of femininity come from the concept of “centerfold syndrome” the way male and female bodies are patterned. In particular, Brooks describes 5 elements to masculinity:

(1) Voyeurism

(2) Objectification

(3) Need for validation

(4) Trophyism

(5) Fear of Intimacy

Below, I have chosen 5 media artifacts in which I believe best describe Brook’s 5 elements of masculinity.

Fear of Intimacy

The first time a man experiences intimacy is with his mother. During his childhood he was most likely reminded by either his fathers, brothers or friends to not be a "sissy" or affectionate. Men are told in our society that sex=yes! intimacy=no.

Trophyism

Specifically in the Hip Hop culture, trophyism or the desire to be viewed as prestige or surrounded by beautiful women, is popular. Here, Snoop Dogg not only has an award, but he also has two barely dressed women willing to flaunt themselves and support his awards.

Need for Validation

Sean "Puffy" Coombs or P. Diddy is known to have provocative, sometimes inappropriate advertisements. In this advertisement, I find it troublesome the way he has interacting with this woman. Here, she looks hopeless and under the control of P. Diddy. This shows that he has the need for validation that he is indeed in control, therefore he's placing her in a vulnerable position.

Objectification

Honestly, I found this photo hilarious. Ocho Cinco is a highly recognized, highly paid athlete in the NFL. This photo displays his athletic body and ability to hold a football in order to cover his genitals. This photo in no way displays his athletic ability or masculine appeal. Instead, he is objectified as a naked man, ready to be taken advantage of.

Voyeurism

How many times have we heard, "life isn't all that it's cracked up to be." I've heard this and other familiar phrases multiple times. This photo represents voyeurism as being a glorification of reality, promising success with unrealistic circumstances. This photo communicates to me that if you are a business man and you dress this way, you will get laid by a prostitute. This photo provides yet again, future expectations that men may have, which ultimately will never come true.

Works Cited

Berkowitz, D. (2006). Consuming eroticism: Gender performance and presentations in pornographic establishments. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, 35(5), 583-606.

Brooks, G. (1999). The centerfold syndrome. In S. Maasik & J. Solomon (Eds.), Signs of life in the USA: readings on popular culture for writers (438-447). Boston: Bedford Press.