Mission


To guys: How many times have you felt that you just aren't man enough for something? Or that you are less of a person compared to a stronger, more popular or more power friend, aquaintance, or even family member? Do these characteristics outweigh other positive ones that you may have such as compassion? Essentially, do you feel like who you are, isn't what you "should" be in the eyes of other men?

And to girls: How often do you feel like you are taken advantage of by a guy? Or that no matter what you do, you feel like you can't compete with men because they seem to be teamed up against you?

All of these are examples of how masculinity effects our everyday lives.





This blog is dedicated to the discussion of masculinity and effects on both personal and community levels.

The views and opinions expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the ideas, thoughts, policies, regulations, etc. of the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, or the United States Military Academy.

Monday, November 28, 2011

The Social Cost of Masculinity in The United Kingdom

On 27 November 2011, an article was published in Banyule and Nillumbik Weekly that posed a serious question: just how much does the masculine mentality effect society? The authors, Cynthia Cockburn and Ann Oakley (Cynthia Cockburn is honorary professor in the Centre for the Study of Women and Gender, Warwick University and Ann Oakley is professor of sociology and social policy at the University of London), asked some very interesting questions that mirror some of those asked by Germaine Greer, the famous Australian feminist of the 20th century. Greer argues in her essay "Masculinity" that men in society are fixated on “acquiring and losing prestige” and “gaining verification of self worth.” Often times, they accomplish these goals through projections of violence. Much like the points that Greer poses, Cockburn and Oakley show the violent and destructive extent that men will go to in order to prove their manhood.

A few facts stated in the article:
  • 91% of violent crimes in England and Wales were committed by men between 2009 and 2010
  • 99% of sexual crimes in the United Kingdom were committed by men between 2009 and 2010
  • 94% of driving offenses causing death such as road rage or negligence
  • If the men in the United Kingdom committed as much crime as women, then the crime rate would drop by 54%, saving the United Kingdom 42 billion pounds.


Boys: Do you feel like you act aggressively towards other people when you feel threatened? Do you think that this violence has anything to do with masculinity? If not, what could it be?

Girls: Does this idea seem logical? Do you see any of this in your everyday life? Are guys more violent towards other guys or to women in your eyes? What effect do you think this has?


Link to the Article: http://www.banyuleandnillumbikweekly.com.au/news/world/world/general/counting-the-social-cost-of-masculinity/2371759.aspx?storypage=0Questions to the Reader: Do the outcomes of masculinity merit any sort of need for societal change? Are the violent crimes just a part of life? Or can they be stopped? What do you think needs to be done?
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)