Media and Manliness

[mechashiva77]

Since I am a woman, I can't really comprehend social stigmas toward men as well as an actual man can. Still, I cannot help but feel irritated towards many media aimed at men nowadays, mainly in video games and commercials.

There is certainly nothing wrong with being manly nor is there anything wrong with being unmanly, but it seems that both traits are being treated with complete and utter contempt. If you're manly, then that generally means you are nothing but a muscle bound jock who is a jerk and lives to ridiculous standards. If you're not manly, then that means you are a weakling who deserves ridicule and abuse for being feminine.

See Miller Light/Slim Jim/General Men Bathing Products ads and you'll see what I mean.

So tell me people, what do you think about standards and stigmas of manliness/un-manliness?

 

[the_dancy_vagrant]

They're largely baseless, just like any kind of generalization. You may occasionally find a person that actually fits into either stereotype that you listed, but 99% of the time it's not anywhere near so clear cut.

 

[The Virgo]

Usually, and this is a fact, most "manly" men are homosexual or bi-sexual.

 

[Drakmeire]

I ignore the media's portrayal of what is manly and go by my own rules.
My (and part of Asia's) logic:
I drink "Girly" drinks because they taste good and I am confidant enough that I won't drink something I don't like just because society expects me to
I take great pride in my appearance and spend too much time on my hair (which is awesomely silky) and often wear long coats because I like to look like what I consider cool and don't follow fads or wear something just because it's manly to do so.
I am fine with the fact that I sew and a do nerdy things, I have the confidence to admit I do.
It takes more of a man to fight conventions and make your own than to be a man who blindly follows conventions.

 

[Mr.Pandah]

I don't...care? I'm as manly/unmanly as I want to be and I do stuff/don't do stuff because that's what I want to do. I don't follow any guidelines/rules for doing what I do. I have no actual opinion on these stigmas simply because I don't pay attention to them.

 

[mechashiva77]

It takes more of a man to fight conventions and make your own that to be a man who blindly follows conventions.

May I quote you in real life? Because that was really good. (That sounds like sarcasm, sorry)

 

[squeekenator]

Yes, it's silly, but it doesn't bother me too much. I'm happy to show that I'm not at all manly and don't give a toss about whether the media says that's a bad thing. The media discriminates against and mocks pretty much every group in the world, so I don't take it too personally.

 

[J-dog42]

Yea it pisses me off sometimes. Currently on television here in NZ we have a car safety ad that tells you to stay in mantrol of your vehicle, a yoghurt that is for men because it is chunky, and many more. Being a man isn't all about being stereotypically manly.

 

[baconsarnie]

The media seems to be confused. According to gillette and coors a 'man' should have a smooth face and drink a 'light beer'.
I prefer the old spice and snickers viewpoint of defying science and not being a little *****.

 

[mechashiva77]

I prefer the old spice and snickers viewpoint of defying science and not being a little *****.

YES. Old Spice does it right.

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

Usually, and this is a fact, most "manly" men are homosexual or bi-sexual.

[Citation needed]

OT: Meh, I don't really care. The media is foolish.

 

[AquaAscension]

THe funny thing is that following fads is much like traveling down a river while letting the power of the river take you to where ever it is the water is willing to go. To break from that, however, is often like trying to emulate the salmon by swimming (in several circumstances) against the current of whatever is... well, current. Swimming that much against a river that strong surely builds stronger muscles and allows one to stay afloat on a raft forged from self confidence whereas those who rely on boats and currents to take them places would surely drown should their style start to have holes poked into it. I'm confused, then, as to how being like others and surely sacrificing strength could be considered manly when it seems the opposite is actually more akin to the stigma so surrounding that tag of "manly."

And, yes, the slim jim commercials are parody but sad parody. I laugh, but more from pity than any actual tickling of the funny bone.

 

[Drakmeire]

It takes more of a man to fight conventions and make your own that to be a man who blindly follows conventions.

May I quote you in real life? Because that was really good. (That sounds like sarcasm, sorry)

go for it. I'd happily give you my blessings.

 

[LiberalSquirrel]

I ignore the media's portrayal of what is manly and go by my own rules.
My (and part of Asia's) logic:
I drink "Girly" drinks because they taste good and I am confidant enough that I won't drink something I don't like just because society expects me to
I take great pride in my appearance and spend too much time on my hair (which is awesomely silky) and often wear long coats because I like to look like what I consider cool and don't follow fads or wear something just because it's manly to do so.
I am fine with the fact that I sew and a do nerdy things, I have the confidence to admit I do.
It takes more of a man to fight conventions and make your own that to be a man who blindly follows conventions.

Your post was very nice, but I (for whatever reason) mentally followed it up with "ROW ROW FIGHT THE POWAH." Which... actually accentuated it quite nicely.

Anyways...

I find the stereotypical "manly man" traits to be quite laughable. But I think (or at least hope) that the stereotypes presented in ads are meant to be played for laughs, not taken seriously. They're treated with contempt because such a thing never truly exists in such an exaggerated form. Personally, I find a guy who is somewhere in between "uber masculine" and "amazingly feminine"... aka a real guy... to be much more attractive than any extreme.

 

[viranimus]

Im not sure I get it, because from what Ive seen the exact opposite is true.

Men are being portrayed constantly as effeminate man boys with favor. These notions keep becoming more common every year. Its getting to the point that men are being encouraged to be virtually indistinguishable from women in both physical stature and mental construction.

So I guess my question is.. how much less "manly" can males possibly become?

 

[ManWithHat]

I don't like the either stereotype in any fashion. But, it kinda irks me and sometimes outright offends me when they "look down" on men doing unmanly things/girly things. Mainly because I'm actually rather "girly". I knit and crochet. I like butterflies. I enjoy pretty colors, like purple. I prefer deep, more somber music (like "emo" music, for example). I'm a sucker for most romantic stories. I'm also a bit of a feminist. But, no one would describe me as "unmanly", and I act like a "regular" guy. So, it peeves me a bit when they throw that stuff out there.

 

[gabe12301]

Well, you have to be able to ride a horse. Backwards.

 

[The Virgo]

Usually, and this is a fact, most "manly" men are homosexual or bi-sexual.

[Citation needed]

Tom Hardy experimented with the same sex in his youth.

Roddy McDowall was gay.

There's a ton of others. Look it up. You'll notice that a large percentage are well-groomed and what the media would call "Manly", like Rock Hudson.

 

[SilentCom]

Those commericals are generalized and are meant to target a certain audience. It's not like there isn't any commercials that target women. The media tries to feed people shit as much as it tries to cater to how we see ourselves. Whatever makes them money I suppose.

 

[Drakmeire]

It takes more of a man to fight conventions and make your own that to be a man who blindly follows conventions.

Your post was very nice, but I (for whatever reason) mentally followed it up with "ROW ROW FIGHT THE POWAH." Which... actually accentuated it quite nicely.

Humorously enough
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/270644_2202684828075_1275964433_2712950_7379784_n.jpg
That is a picture of me.