The short film explores how the society’s perception of masculinity is harmful to young boys, men and the whole society. The film highlights how these consequences can be avoided. It explains the struggle that boys and men go through while trying to survive within the society’s definition of masculinity. A study shows that boys are more predisposed to being involved in violence, dropping out of school, suicide and prescribed stimulant medications.
According to the hegemonic masculinity theory, a man is considered to be the natural provider. Men are expected to be tough, competitive, aggressive and independent. This idea of masculinity is exacerbated by men who push their peers to behave in a ‘manly’ manner. This situation leads into more crime and delinquency. Traditionally, men are expected to lack interest in childcare and housework. This lack of responsibility gives men more time and opportunities to involve themselves with crime. This film is a good example as it portrays how young men in school are forced to commit crime in order to belong in peer groups. Others result to behavioral disorders, stimulant medications and suicide.
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Processes are part of the framework that addresses the common needs of the people in the society. Processes give life to the structure of the society. The structure of the society refers to the repetitive behavioral patterns and ordered relationships between people. People know where to fit in to the society by socializing with others. While socializing, people get to learn things that influence their lives. Boys and men learn the behaviors they are expected to portray while interacting with their peers. In schools and the society in general, young men are pushed into crime and delinquency by their peers. Some get into crime because they think that’s what masculinity is about. They turn to violence and crime as they try to assert their masculinity. They prefer violence to the authentic ways of portraying masculinity. These ways are such as having a good job, having a good family and being educated. In the video, one of the young men says that he was suspended every semester due to getting into fights. The reason he did this was to prove that he was masculine.
In the United States, most of the crimes are committed by men. They account for the largest percentage of inmates in American prisons. The high numbers of male crimes are due to hegemonic masculinity. Some of the men who involve themselves in crime do not want to be considered as cowards. They believe that masculinity is about control, success, power, competitiveness and toughness. Middle-class men try to prove their masculinity through ambition and thrill-seeking in business. This idea of masculinity leads into a number of corporate crimes. It is also responsible for rape and domestic violence cases among men.
Hegemonic masculinity is a major cause of behavioral disorders in boys and men. In a bid to prove their masculinity, boys and men pretend to be people they are not in order to be accepted by the society. These boys and men end up living fake lives just to fit into peer groups. This situation causes them a lot of pressure thus leading to behavioral disorders. In the movie, one of the boys experiences behavioral disorders due to the pressure he experiences at school to follow a predetermined idea of masculinity.
