Masculinity

     As much as I don't like to admit it, we often get so wrapped up in women's issues that we forget that men are often just as confined in society. I often complain about the stereotypical man, you know the type: strong, tough, independent, breadwinner, void of all emotions save anger. Yeah, not really my cup of tea... What I had failed to think about however, was that maybe men don't want to be the stereotypical male any more than women want to be the stereotypical female.
     I do NOT however believe that girls have it worse than boys or that feminism is the cause of male problems. I follow more along a middle line; as far as the problem of forced "gender boxes" go both men and women have it rough. It seems as if this resurgence of the super testosterone fueled man is a backlash against the women's movement. Men feel threatened by feminism and therefore feel the need to assert their dominance. I may be wrong, but that sure is what it feels like.
     I also agree with the idea that Kimmel presents where schools are better environments for girls than boys. In my high school the top seven people in my class were girls and the top 25 percent of my class was overwhelmingly female. I'm not sure however, whether it's because of the teaching and disciplinary methods or the peer and social culture of the modern high school environment. It's just "not cool" to be smart if you're a guy. With the recent surge in "tough masculinity" that focuses often times on the physical, brawn wins over brains as the ideal for teenage boys. This is not helped by the ever prominent stereotype of the "popular-but-unintelligent" jock that is perpetuated in movies and television.