Interrogating society’s notions of masculinity
CURRENT reports related to gender reflect and emphasise the negative impact of gender on society – especially the negative impact of men and masculinity. Studies are conducted to understand the roots and triggers of men’s social conduct or misconduct.
Without a doubt, men are often guilty of causing some of the social ills. However, we often do not acknowledge and recognise the pressures and challenges that society presents to men. In most instances, the focus in reporting is on their conduct or misconduct. Less attention is given to interrogating and reflecting on how masculine notions are formed and subsequently practised, and the influence of social settings on these processes.
Masculinity is not a static entity – it is flexible, evolving, and adapts to different contexts. However, there is a struggle between upholding the traditional practices of masculinity and the desire for modern and liberal practices of masculinity.
The concept of “traditional” masculinity is frequently used when investigating the construction and practices of masculinity. This concept is often understood as the opposite of the modern representation of masculinity. Yet, it refers to what is considered to make a man a “real” man – attributes such as independence, self-sufficiency, heterosexuality, physical toughness, and emotional restrictedness.
These attributes highlight the ideas of masculinity embedded in traditional ideology, rules, and norms. We often expect men to possess these attributes, particularly independence, self-sufficiency and emotional restrictedness. Without a doubt, these expectations present challenges for men.
Men are less likely to express their feelings – they are also not expected to express them. Besides, men are not as expressive as women and the signs of mental illness are not the same as those in women. Though we expect men to man up and demonstrate strength when confronted with challenges, we are not aware of the damage this may cause to their mental and emotional well-being.
According to the World Health Organization this year, South African men are more than four times more likely to commit suicide than women. Of more than 6 000 cases of suicide, 5 138 were men, which translates to 21.8 per 100 000. This indicates the need to unlearn the damaging expectations of gender. Men’s socio-economic and socio-political positions influence how they view and practise their masculinity. Though Statistics South Africa this year reported that 32.4% of men are unemployed (compared with 36.8% of unemployed women), men living in poverty find themselves in a stressful climate, as they are unable to live up to their and others’ ideas of “successful masculinity”.
To a large extent, men are still expected to assume the role of financial provider. Failure to adhere to these expectations may result in one’s masculine traits not being recognised or acknowledged. In some cases, men are considered “less of a man” since they cannot fulfil the expectation of financial provision. This affects their interaction and relationships with other men, women, and children.
Apart from the societal expectations, we need to pay attention to the socialisation process within the family. A family is a training ground where members are taught about desirable and undesirable behaviour and expectations of others.
Within the family structure, men and women are socialised to internalise and accept toxic gender roles – one being the use of violence. Violent behaviour is often associated with normal “boyish” behaviour; therefore, it is perceived to be expected of a boy child to resort to violence. It is expected of a boy child to retaliate/fight back when facing conflict. Consequently, violence is viewed as a measure to correct behaviour associated with disobedience or challenging masculine authority.
Regardless of the mentioned challenges associated with masculinity, there are individual men in society who have invested efforts in transforming the masculine scripts and to cultivate positive male attributes.
These are men who strive to be good citizens, husbands, fathers, brothers, and uncles. Unfortunately, the efforts invested by these individual men tend to be disregarded in society, since the focus is always on unpacking and reflecting the toxic actions and attributes of men.
There is a need to sensitise men and women to the dangers of patriarchy, particularly for men. It is also important to encourage men to construct their own identities that are different from those prescribed by patriarchy.
Although most men might not be oppressed by sexism in ways similar to women, we need to pay much closer attention to how men suffer the consequences of sexism.