The film titled "The Mask You Live In" contains epic scenes and information that is significant in society. The informative content is built on the aspect of male masculinity that has, for a long time, shaped the view of boys in American society. However, it is unfortunate that masculinity has been practiced negatively, resulting in bad morals than the intended meaning of male masculinity. Masculinity in boys has been embedded in negative ways, to fulfill the norms that have been socially constructed. It is, therefore, imperative to explore the film by delving into my own experience with masculinity, toxic, and healthy masculinity. There is also a need to review our current constructions and their impact on both boys and girls. Lastly, it is essential to delve into how masculinity contributes to VMIR and how I can promote healthy masculinity in my life.
The Film Connection with my Experiences with Masculinity
The film "The Mask You Live In" expressed some of my experiences in society as far as masculinity is concerned. In most instances, I grew up knowing that a male has to be tough and to some extent, arrogant to fit in society. This is because the community I lived in believed that a boy should be masculine to transition to a responsible man. Ideally, the concept of being masculine was wise; however, the need to do harmful things to prove masculinity is what eroded the initial meaning. As I grew up, society expected that boys were supposed to go to club parties and also engage in other unethical behavior to prove their masculinity. My partial experience with masculinity has been shown in the entire film.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Toxic Masculinity
Toxic masculinity can be described as the cultural expectation of manliness, where a man is supposed to have strength in every aspect of life. Toxic masculinity regards emotions as a weakness in a man, and thus, a man expressing empathy emotions can be likened to a feminist. In most instances, toxic masculinity is associated with aggression, violence, sex, and even status. This is an implication that society has framed masculinity in a way that makes it negative. It can, therefore, be said that toxic masculinity is primarily founded on shallow and authoritarian description about males.
Healthy Masculinity
As opposed to toxic masculinity, healthy masculinity allows men to express their emotions and share their feelings with others without being regarded as lesser men. Healthy masculinity permits men to feel human and can as well show their feelings, just like females. Healthy masculinity can, therefore, be simplified by what it stands for in men. It allows men to accept themselves even though they are not as muscular as their peers. Healthy masculinity makes it possible for men to treat women the way they would wish to be treated. While anger takes the toll of the day in toxic masculinity, in healthy masculinity, men should not allow anger to be the cause of violence to both women and men that may be weaker than them. Thus, healthy masculinity is founded on treating others with the utmost kindness and the respect that they deserve.
Impacts of Current Constructions to Boys and Girls
The current constructions of masculinity negatively impact on both boys and girls. This is because the societal set of beliefs determine how boys and girls in society grow. For boys, they grow knowing that masculinity entails being violent and aggressive, especially against those weaker than them. Women are the most vulnerable whenever men feel that manhood is all about being aggressive and violent.
On the other hand, girls are negatively impacted by socially constructed beliefs about their position in society. Girls grow up knowing that they are subject to boys due to masculinity. This factor has continued to create a gap in the ethical frame that boys and girls should follow in society.
Masculinity Contribution to VMIR
Toxic masculinity is a continuous process if no effective measures are employed to curb it. This means that boys and girls who have been implicated in masculinity issues will carry them to their relationships. Many intimate relationships have been experiencing violence, which can be attributed to a poor view of masculinity. In this case, toxic masculinity may have a direct impact on the individual in an intimate relationship. In return, incidents of violence will be evident, as the individual will be seeking to fulfill the negative features of masculinity constructed by society.
Promotion of Healthy Masculinity in My Life
The promotion of healthy masculinity requires one to understand the deep meaning of manhood. Thus, I acknowledge that healthy masculinity encompasses the need to treat others the way I would like to be treated. Accepting the reality of kindness and respect for others as the primary features of healthy masculinity will help me to promote healthy masculinity in my life. I will also accept the weakness of others and treat them fairly.
Conclusion
Summarily, masculinity is a significant aspect that shapes our society. This is an implication that there is a need to address the issue from its core, based on the role it plays in society. Understanding both toxic and healthy masculinity will help in filling the gaps created by masculinity. Addressing the gaps will ensure that cases of VMIR are minimized. An individual can also promote healthy masculinity by understanding its features and practicing what it directs.
