About Men

Author’s points:

The purpose of this reading is to demonstrate the types of stereotypes that are attributed to men, based on their masculinity and using Western Cowboys as examples. According to the stereotypes of society, cowboys are considered one of the most masculine figures in American culture. Using personal histories, Gretel Ehrlich exposes some arguments where it contradicts the masculinity of the cowboys; which are considered as strong, intimidating people and perhaps as people without feelings, like rocks. On the other hand, Gretel considers them as gentle, kind people who have feelings like other people.

 

Reflection:

My dad also uses the definition of masculinity in the perspective of his time. He wants that all the boys must act manly and aggressive when it comes to fights or tough moments in live. However, in this time, not all the boys must act like cowboys or people from that time. In this time, men and boys empathizes with the opposite sex so that the men doesn't have to show their masculinity by being aggressive.

I think that the author’s ideas about the cowboys, is a thought of an ancient era where masculinity and machismo was common in society. Currently, masculinity is an idea that has lost strength due to the diversity and open-minded thoughts that exist. An example that happened to me and connects with the theme of this essay, was my long hair. There was a time where I had long hair and during that time several members of my family liked my hair and other members did not. After trimming my long hair, I could see how some members reacted by saying “Now you look like a real man” or things like that. I did not understand why they told me that because having long hair does not make you more or less masculine, it is simply a type of cut or style.

Application:

            This information affects my thinking about gender because it helps me see other perspective about the term of masculinity. It makes me know that a person who is masculine is also fragile. Also, that people evolves and with it, the believes of society. In other words, the idea of masculinity doesn’t have to be the same always because people change and not everyone is the same. Also, masculinity it’s like a stereotype. Something that society says that you have to be that way to be masculine.

            My thoughts about masculinity, stereotypes and gender is different thanks to this reading. Through this reading, I could see that society can establish false ideas about a group of people due to stereotypes. Human beings every day change or innovate in one way or another and even then society can continue to see a person in a way thanks to a wrong stereotype. In this world, where people judge others without knowing them, there should be more people like the author, since she is a person who does not really follow the stereotypes that our society creates.