Blog 6

From Heasley's Queer Masculinities I found the many different categories to be interesting. The six scenarios were a new concept for me. The ending chapter on The Shadow of Masculinity is scarily true. It's unfortunate that there are men out there who are informed and yet they decide to be inactive concerning the problems that women and gays face. Heasley also brings up how people are shaped by experience and for men that is important to which category they find themselves falling into.Based on the feedback they receive for their ways and actions, men canbe either encouraged or disencouraged from performing masculinity in certain ways. Hennen's writings on Bear Bodies stimulated thought for me. I can forget about all the ridiculous, unnecessary pressures men face in terms of their physical appearance. Hennen calls it "a specifically classed presentation of self". Though, the irony regarding the physical obession is that no matter how men try to display and perform as heterosexual males, they could just as easily be mistaken for a gay male. And this I feel is due in part to the fact that the "distinctive" lines are blurring. Hennen mentions the rugged, "gay leatherman" who is more in favor of "authentic masculinity". Because these men wear baseball caps, jeans and sometimes sport beards, people probably assume their sexuality to be straight. I had no idea that within the "Bear" classification there were more specific categories like the term "cubs" meant for sexually submissive men, "grizzlies" for sexually dominant, and "polar bears" for gray or white-haired men. The last reading on Sissyphobia by Bergling explains the roots of feminine behavior among men. I have always wondered where and when negative connotations were attached to feminine masculinity.
Personally, I can relate with knowing many men in my life who are aware and informed on the subject of issues regarding gays and women, yet they decide to stay behind the scenes and uninvolved. The reading, specifically Heasley's, made me think about this and see it in a new light. While it's easy for me to expect that these men who I'm surrounded with should just step out and be a part of the solution, I was given the perspective from a different angle. I do believe it's hard for them, but at the same time, I'd like to believe if I was in their position and saw the struggle that women and gays face, I would want to be a part of the solution.

Blog 5

With Chapter 13 of Katz's Macho Paradox, the issue of men's violence against women being a problem of men is explained more in detail. I found the "Big Tent" approach interesting. The overall tone of the chapter is very uplifting and positive, focusing on simple involvement and change for men. Katz used a survey conducted by Lifetime Television to point out that 57% of men view gender violence as an extremely serious issue and how a different poll found that a quarter of men would do more about the issue if asked. I see this as a hopeful light and a breakthrough. With this information Katz goes on to outline ways men can step into the picture and be a part of the efforts to improve gender violence, which as he points out connects to a wide range of other social problems like youth violence, divorce, homelessness, alcoholism and HIV/AIDS.
Hooks, Chapter 7 sets straight the misconceived ideas of feminism. All feminists received the reputation of being antimale along with the title of "man-haters" because the media chose to give attention to only on a small faction of extremist, man-bashing feminists. In Chapter 11, Hooks speaks of war and how it has been an activity which has often served to define manhood itself. She states that a culture of war does not allow men to love. It creates men as the predators and women as the prey. While some individual men are able to break out and claim their rights to life and love, most still wed themselves to patriarchy. Hooks goes on to challenge the reader and society to work towards a culture where boys can be emotionally aware and love. A powerful quote of hers that stuck with me was "Love cannot coexist with domination".
Thompson's writing discusses necessary socialization shifts for young men. I found it interesting that he brings up "unlearning aggression". The socially positive qualities of tenderness, cooperation, and aesthetic appreciation are very important in young, adolescent development. Thompson has a new vision of masculinity.
A connection I pulled from the readings was regarding the war scene and environment. This does deprive men of a life where they can truly love and cherish other beings without being desensitized and bred to kill without emotion.
I think it sad that young boys are robbed of an upbringing centered around love.