Masculinities on the Web

Our latest reading assignment was an article called “Masculinities on the Web” by Ross Horsley. I admit to being a bit put-off by the subject matter (in the interest of honesty, I’ve always found gender studies to be profoundly boring), but I was pleasantly surprised by the author’s take on the matter. Horsley basically argues that in today’s pluralistic society – a complexity only compounded by the prevalence of online communication – traditional concepts of masculinity are seemingly being eroded. In place of a monolithic, socially and culturally-mandated sense of gender identity, more and more men are learning to be reflexive about “masculinity,” to rely more on personal analysis and come up with a more individual response to what it means to be a man. This, in turn, leads to a greater sense “self-awareness,” “personal freedom,” and other Things That Are Good. I suppose that’s about as encouraging a sign as you could hope for.

But how exactly is this panning out online? As per the assignment’s stipulations, I glanced at a few of the sites that Horsley mentioned in his study, and for the most part, I think there’s a lot out there to validate his claim. Manhood Online did not stray far from Horsley’s characterization (it is zealously positive about capital-M manhood), but it nonetheless represents a clear challenge to the mainstream notion of “masculine” as a sort of synonym for “neanderthal.” Through shared anecdotes and discussion, Manhood Online is trying to paint a kinder, gentler version of masculinity. It champions a sort of “liberated man” – a free-thinking, comfortably emotional individual who doesn’t even care about the staid stereotypes of the past.

For obvious reasons, I didn’t stick around that long with Dull Men. These guys are not kidding about being boring. I mean, wow. From what I saw, however, the site certainly builds a different identity than Manhood Online – this is a much more buttoned-down, almost domestic version of manhood. Still, its spirit is similar in that it promotes a non-stereotypical version of masculinity through open discussion and sharing between individuals (rather than a one-way mandate from the faceless mass of society).

I took a brief look at Men’s Stuff – again, I had to swiftly avert my eyes because of blisteringly ugly site design. My impression, though, was that it was operating on a very diverse, open-ended definition of masculinity. It seemed to cater to the well-reasoned, self-aware man with a wide array of interests and concerns – even some that might be more traditionally associated with feminimity. Brave new world indeed.

I couldn’t check out the forum proper of the Yahoo Men’s Studies Discussion Group because, apparently, it’s Members Only. (No snickering in the back, please.) Still, the very fact that it’s a discussion board suggests that it functions similarly to some of the other examples listed above. It’s a collaborative platform for the redefinition of masculinity.

It’s not all sunshine and enlightenment out there, though. Horsley wisely points out that there’s a great deal of “anxiety” associated with the breakdown of stereotypical masculinity, and of course, anxiety tends to breed kneejerk defensiveness and overcompensation. There are still a lot of places out there that seem to cling, in whole or in part, to vestiges of “old masculinity” as though it desperately needs defending. For instance, although parts of Men’s News Daily seem open-minded enough, there are some articles and blog entries that seem almost shamefully recidivist, gleefully indulging in old-fashioned conservatism and chauvinism.

I didn’t deign to visit lad rags like Maxim and FHM because, for all their pretenses of fashion and health, I’m still convinced that they’re largely aimed at the (and I hope you’ll pardon the expression) “tits-and-liquor” demographic – men who have all the intellectual substance of a bowl of oatmeal.

Backsliding aside, I like the gist of Horsley’s argument and it’s heartening to see so many validating examples online. Then again, I’ve always liked any step away from hive-mind mentalities and more towards individualism and free thinking.

~ by pbonaduce on February 21, 2008.