Full Description
Men are commonly expected to act "masculine" (e.g., self-sufficient, stoic, strong, dependable, brave, tough, and hard-working) while avoiding stereotypically "feminine" traits (e.g., emotional expressivity, empathy, and nurturance). Few, however, realize that these qualities--when taken to the extreme--can cause emotional constriction, substance abuse, depression, aggression, and violence in many men. Further, even though most men are not violent, decades of research has shown that masculinity is distinctly related to sexual and gun violence and men's poorer health. Considering how girls and women have benefitted from decades of conversations on navigation of their gender in a changing world, similar processes are urgently needed for boys and men. The Tough Standard connects the dots between masculinity and the present moment in American culture (defined by high-profile movements such as Me Too, March for Our Lives, and Black Lives Matter), synthesizes over four decades of research in the psychology of men and masculinities, and proposes solutions to corresponding social problems.
Contents
Chapter 1. Masculinity and the Present Cultural Moment
Chapter 2. Theories of Gender and How Masculinity is Measured
Chapter 3. Consequences of Socializing Boys and Requiring Men to Conform to Traditional Masculine Norms
Chapter 4. Summaries of Research on the Outcomes of Endorsing or Conforming to Traditional Masculine Norms or Experiencing Gender Role Conflict
Chapter 5. The Role of Masculinity in Gun and Other Physical Violence
Chapter 6. Masculinity and Sexual Violence
Chapter 7. Masculinity and Men's Physical and Mental Health and Trauma
Chapter 8. Many Masculinities: The Intersectional Perspective
Chapter 9. Paths to Freedom
Coda
