True conceptualization of masculinity

Masculinity.  When first read the stereotypical thoughts always come to mind:  the James Bond, athletic, powerful individual with a muscular figure and courageous feats of fearlessness. In truth, masculinity is a biological trait linking back to prehistoric times of the hunter/gatherer societies where man would play the dominant, male testosterone role of survival. Living in a patriarchal society today, the role of masculinity would be seen as something desirable by both sexes – more likely desirable by the females. I believe that it’s due to society’s norms of gender hierarchy that females are seen as more of a symbol of the state rather than taking on a dominant role where a man would play the role as isn’t necessarily the case. The male’s role in this is to protect the state (the female) and by doing this, the male is taking on the role society has set forth. The female can be the breadwinner just as much as the male. Likewise, the male can play the role of caretaker. Essentially it’s just a set of masculinities that society has labelled on the individual to believe that certain roles/duties are only allowed by a certain sex. You don’t have to be strong to play sports or have certain masculinities to do “manly” activities such as fixing a car.

Through the media and advertising such as video games or popular television shows, the imagery of the predominant masculine figure is being shown consistently. In television shows such as Dragon’s Den, there is a male dominance in the business world by showing the top business men/woman by a comparison ratio of four men to one female. Why is this? Why are there a greater number of male CEO’s compared to female CEO’s? The answer isn’t so clear cut, but the fact of the matter is that society has deemed females unsuitable to play important roles as they move up the hierarchal ladder. Men and woman can be working the same job, but men will have the slight advantage and favouritism whether it is the higher pay they receive, or the benefits. Also in other media forms, say video games such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, you would never see a female fit the role of the “hero” in the game or in any advertisement methods. Undoubtedly, the advertisement uses an array of explosions that makes you think, “If I buy this game I will be as manly as the guy in that advertisement”.

Relating this to George Orwell’s 1984, masculinity plays a major role in this novel by the constant showcase that “Big Brother is watching you”. Linking back to the belief that females are the symbol of the state, Orwell portrays a society where the males are clearly dominant and superior to the females.  By showing that you can control the females – who essentially are the state – the males show that they can control them and make them,

“…a nation of warriors and fanatics, marching forward in perfect unity, all thinking the same thoughts and shouting the same slogans, perpetually working, fighting, triumphing persecuting – three hundred million people all with the same face” (Orwell, 77).

Orwell does an interesting job in showing the dominant male society and the masculinity that lingers in it. On one hand, the men do dominant and control the females, yet on the other hand Winston himself and the rest of the male society aren’t actually free and masculine at all. To some extent, they are but Winston himself is not allowed to do what he wants and love Julia; All the while Winston is being repressed of his true male testosterone driven desires of love and rebellion. Just as in today’s society, the clash between men and women ultimately show that those who lack power have no voice, and therefore are deemed the lesser role and lack what is seen as “masculinity”.