Our Guys/Good Guys By Nancy Lesko

1. Our Guys/Good GuysBy Nancy Lesko By: Alexis Wiktorski and Danielle Catarisano

2. Movie clip • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CWMCt35oFY

3. What is Masculinity? • The “technical” definition of masculinity is that… • masculinity is described as the properties/characteristics of the male sex. • It is the trait of behaving in ways considered typical for men. • Having qualities traditionally ascribed to men, as strength and boldness

4. Summary! • Our Guys/Good Guys is about how masculinity has such an affect on boys; especially those participating in high school sports. • Masculinity is said to be the “strong” men who show dominance over the “weak” men. There are certain criteria that set aside the “real” men from the “others” and those that are masculine receive greater benefits such as: power, girls, and respect from others. • Masculinity can be displayed through sporting events, where the parents and coaches either degrade another person or team, or boost their teams confidence. • The reading talked about how parents create pressure for their child by screaming and yelling in the stands. Coaches also use name calling to encourage masculinity such as calling a teammate “weak” or a “girl.” It also talked about how coaches boost their teams confidence by saying things such as “You guys are a very special breed” • Boys confine to these masculine traits as a way to fit in, or gain the respect of another.

5. Article • The article seeks to understand how U.S sports in society are viewed in light of gender norms. • In a survey of 340 college students they found that even younger students who have grown up with gender discrimination in schools still will rate most sports as masculine. • This article also shows the relationship between the media use, sports participation, and gender role socialization. • The relationship between this article and Our Guys/ Good Guys is that masculinity isn’t only affecting the male species but it also affecting the feminism in sports as well.

6. Movie clip • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g8MJPlrIdY

7. Who/what Influences Masculinity? • Media • Parents • Coaches • Peers

8. Why do men display masculinity? • To gain dominance • To be seen as strong versus weak • To impress people • To become powerful • Masculinity is said to get you girls

10. Questions??? • Describe masculinity… • How does masculinity play a role in our society? • How is masculinity displayed/shown? (name calling, fights, etc.) • How can masculinity be suppressed? • What are the motives for masculinity? Why do men feel as though they have to confine to these beliefs? • Are you less of a man if you do not fit that “masculinity” description?

11. Questions Continued… • Is masculinity more of a character/front that men put on in order to impress other men or is it really how men feel? • How is masculinity thrown upon boys at such a young age? (i.e. through Disney movies, action figures, etc.) • How does masculinity affect men? • How does masculinity affect women?

12. Women • How does masculinity compare to women? • Women are perceived as less dominant then men; and are seen more as “props” versus people. • Especially in Disney movies, men are always trying to fight for either dominance, or the prettiest girl. • Girls also are meantto be the “housewife”

13. Women Today • Such as masculinity in men, women have the same problem with feminism. • Every girl is supposed to be the ideal woman. In the media feminism is shown through Barbie dolls, Disney Princesses, and Magazine covers. • Girls try to become this example they have been given but sometimes will go too far for what they want.