Tough Guise

In the reading by Kimmel he points out that men are constantly ranking one another. To be at the top of that ranking you need to be considered tough, powerful. Men constantly want other men’s approval. He then brings up the point of homophobia he says that for men it is the fear that they will not measure up as a man. In order to prevent one of the sure fire ways that they know they can show their masculinity is through violence.
The idea of why violence plays such an important role in masculinity is brought up by Jackson Katz. Jackson Katz says that the “tough guise” is the image the men and boys feel that they need to put on in society to be accepted. Today words that are used to describe masculinity are physical, strong, independent, powerful and tough. Men do not want to be considered wimps or sissies.
There are several reasons for these ideas according to Katz, one being the media. The media often portrays men of color as violent. This gives the idea of it being socially acceptable. Also men think that women want tough guys. Families and communities also encourage these ideas of toughness.
Because of these ideas it is often considered that being violent is often an accepted part of masculinity. Both males and females are hurt by this idea. Often men take their violence out on other men. However women’s lives are also affected
With out this idea of masculinity equals violence, both male and female lives would improve. In order to do the images portrayed in the media need to change. Women also need to let men know that is it okay to be sensitive and that being a dominant male is not always necessary.
I completely agree with everything that Katz talk about. You can see these ideas everyday in the media and even in your everyday life. Men have the idea that if they are tougher and more powerful they will have dominance of women and even other men. Being tough is considered a form of power.