Male Behaviour, Metrosexuality and Gender
I like to think of myself
as a male who chooses to live and explore life to the fullest without
restricting myself to labels, so says Sam, a colleague who responded to my
question on the issue of the metrosexual male and masculinity. Metrosexual means different things to
different people. According to the
Cambridge Dictionary a metrosexual is a man who is attracted to women sexually but
who is also interested in fashion and his appearance. The online interactive WebMD,
states that a metrosexual male is straight, sensitive, well-educated urban
dweller who is in touch with his feminine side. The online publication goes on
to state that the metrosexual male may have a standing appointment for weekly manicure
and has his hair styled by a stylist rather than a barber. The metrosexual male
often wears jewellery, loves to shop and pays attention to how he looks. He may
work on his physique at a fitness club as against having gym membership. Sam opines
that as far as the metrosesexual man is concerned he epitomizes the twenty
century’s sexual revolution of pop culture promoted by such icons as, Boy
George, Dennis Rodman, Prince and Little Richard who gave men the liberty to
step out of their shells while, not going to the extreme by cross or drag
dressing. Gone are the days of the caveman like culture regarding masculinity. It
has become routine for many men to do what is required to enhance one’s personal
appearance. For some men this means visiting the barber weekly for a haircut,
or perhaps to have a manicure or pedicure done. However, there was a time in
our history, when men who took the time out to care and look after themselves were
viewed as lesser men. In fact some might argue that not much has changed since men
who are a stickler for grooming are still discriminated against and usually face
questions about their sexual orientation since this self-care attitude and
conduct was seen outside of the masculine behaviour. The debate surrounding
what is viewed as accepted masculine behavior has come a long way. I dare say, as society evolves we can expect to
have more interrogation of masculinity. Additionally,
the emergence or perhaps the re-emergence of multiple masculinities will become
routine in our culture. There are those who believe that the spa experience
should be gender specific, ignoring the fact that men have needs too and a
desire to feel wanted. In fact a number of business opportunities have emerged
for male only grooming services which pamper and cater to males. Interestingly,
the metrosexual evolution is also a revolution catalyzed by magazines such as
Vogue, Ebony, JET along with modern cosmopolitan women demanding of their men
to be more groomed and presentable. Troy another colleague dismissed the notion
of metrosexual male. He asserts that men
who use the label metrosexual are borderline gay. He added that he has never
had a manicure or pedicure and by extension he stuns the label of metrosexual
male. In his assessment of the
metrosexuality lifestyle, Troy adds, “I think a man who grew up desiring
greatly the material things in life and have now come into substance can end up
in such a lifestyle.” He added, “also one who wished to align oneself with the
trend of the times and gain a sense of relevance.”
Blurring Gender Lines
Undoubtedly, many of us in society, perhaps because of our religious socialization are uncomfortable discussing the idea of gender-fluidity. However, whether we chose to or not gender as a social construct is a fluid concept and this fluidity allows us to express and celebrate the diversity of our sexuality. My dad who is in his eighties was never faced with this blurring of the gender lines and roles. Men of my father’s age grew up in an era where there was no middle ground concerning sexuality, or perhaps the middle was not spoken about. Nevertheless, with each generation there comes more and more freedom as well as an added sense of responsibility. It can be argued that with the proliferation of social media a number of proverbial envelopes have been pushed open, and boundaries as it relates to sexuality and sexual expression have had to be redrawn to take into account the realities of today’s youth and contemporary society. Yet, still the concept of gender fluidity still resides in the halls of academia. Males who behave differently are often viewed as sissies or homosexuals. What was termed gender-inappropriate fifty years ago is now very much appropriate in 2018, or is it? Society then was not tolerant of any gender expression outside of the normative heterosexual masculinity. It bares thought that there is a difference between queer masculinity and being gay. While it is debatable that queerness emerged from the experiences of the gay and lesbian community, it can be argued that in a strictly straight and academic strand, queerness stems from the notion of challenging the categorization of the gay-straight binary. Many straight men have had “queer masculine” moments which can be defined as being masculine outside of the hetero-normative of masculinity which interrogates the traditional understanding of hegemonic heterosexual masculinity. Cultural concepts and expectations about men and masculinity typically generate uncertainty for many men regarding their manhood. Main stream media, as well as social media often portrays queerness as linked with sexual orientation, however, we now know this is not so. The freedom and privilege which comes from being a heterosexual male is unquestionable in Judea-Christian societies. The rise of multiple masculinities is also rooted in the demands that women have been and continue to place on men. An increasing number of women prefer the clean cut, suave, debonair man. The definition of maleness and manhood continues to evolve. The definition of how to behave like a man continues to be interrogated and redefined, not only by standards associated with popular culture but by an egotistical need to be pleasing to members of the opposite sex.
Thug Masculinity
The notion of thug masculinity has been discussed almost at nausea in popular culture for quite a while. In contrast to metrosexuality there is also what I refer to as the ‘bad boy’ strand of masculinity. Thug masculinity is a set of behavioural traits in which men have a rugged persona, characterized by the wearing of tight fitted pants, “the squeeze mi balls (scrotum), hold yuh ankle type” with undergarments exposed. Many men who subscribe to this thug masculinity culture are oftentimes seen as rude and are usually at odds with academia. Thug masculinity is a form of street corner socialization divorced from the trappings of the well-dapper male. Interestingly, many women find this “thuggy thuggy” masculinity rather alluring and charming. A female colleague, Angella shared that she prefers well-groomed men, however, she draws a line with men who shave or shape their eye brows, this according to Angella is too extreme and not in keeping with who is a man. “No where best personifies metrosexaulity as Jamaica.” So says Troy. . “In many societies it is enough to purchase a standard of clothing but the Jamaican males take it a step further by having said clothing tailored to fit just right.” He added, not only are these males the followers of the latest fashion trends but also its innovators shown by the Hollywood lifestyles depicted in the dancehalls. Troy argues, that even beyond dancehall, the Jamaican high society males stick to particular brands. It is these middle and upper class males that are known for mani/pedicure and the changing of vehicles to identify with the latest motor trends. Troy posits that the bleaching of the skin and the wearing of teeth braces is part of the dancehall culture and by extension part of the metrosexual male. Troy is of the view that in taking on such behavioural traits one is no less of a man. However, he firmly believes that in the notion that whatever we give most of our time tends to define who we are. Can a person who dedicates them self to fashion and its every pursuit help becoming vain, he asks? For a man this can very well mean he starts neglecting more worthwhile and higher priority things, such as family. Troy concludes that this is the point at which masculinity is affected and the individual makes himself an infidel despite his outward persona. The twenty first century male is fortunate. He is lucky in that he has multiple masculinities from which to define his own sense of manhood. The society continues to revolve around modernity and with this association men are allowed the freedom to explore experiment and appreciate new forms of masculinities. The reality is people are no longer willing to allow the society to dictate to them, how and in what manner they should live and express their individuality as sexual beings. In the words of sociologist, Raewyn Connell, there is abundant evidence that masculinities are multiple, with internal complexities and even contradictions; also that masculinities change in history and that women have a considerable role in making them, in interaction with boys and men.
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in
development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
#religion #queermasculinity #metrosexual #masculinity #manhood #gender #Jamaica #society #sexualorientation #queereye #brotherhood #socialization #culture #discrimination
Blurring Gender Lines
Undoubtedly, many of us in society, perhaps because of our religious socialization are uncomfortable discussing the idea of gender-fluidity. However, whether we chose to or not gender as a social construct is a fluid concept and this fluidity allows us to express and celebrate the diversity of our sexuality. My dad who is in his eighties was never faced with this blurring of the gender lines and roles. Men of my father’s age grew up in an era where there was no middle ground concerning sexuality, or perhaps the middle was not spoken about. Nevertheless, with each generation there comes more and more freedom as well as an added sense of responsibility. It can be argued that with the proliferation of social media a number of proverbial envelopes have been pushed open, and boundaries as it relates to sexuality and sexual expression have had to be redrawn to take into account the realities of today’s youth and contemporary society. Yet, still the concept of gender fluidity still resides in the halls of academia. Males who behave differently are often viewed as sissies or homosexuals. What was termed gender-inappropriate fifty years ago is now very much appropriate in 2018, or is it? Society then was not tolerant of any gender expression outside of the normative heterosexual masculinity. It bares thought that there is a difference between queer masculinity and being gay. While it is debatable that queerness emerged from the experiences of the gay and lesbian community, it can be argued that in a strictly straight and academic strand, queerness stems from the notion of challenging the categorization of the gay-straight binary. Many straight men have had “queer masculine” moments which can be defined as being masculine outside of the hetero-normative of masculinity which interrogates the traditional understanding of hegemonic heterosexual masculinity. Cultural concepts and expectations about men and masculinity typically generate uncertainty for many men regarding their manhood. Main stream media, as well as social media often portrays queerness as linked with sexual orientation, however, we now know this is not so. The freedom and privilege which comes from being a heterosexual male is unquestionable in Judea-Christian societies. The rise of multiple masculinities is also rooted in the demands that women have been and continue to place on men. An increasing number of women prefer the clean cut, suave, debonair man. The definition of maleness and manhood continues to evolve. The definition of how to behave like a man continues to be interrogated and redefined, not only by standards associated with popular culture but by an egotistical need to be pleasing to members of the opposite sex.
Thug Masculinity
The notion of thug masculinity has been discussed almost at nausea in popular culture for quite a while. In contrast to metrosexuality there is also what I refer to as the ‘bad boy’ strand of masculinity. Thug masculinity is a set of behavioural traits in which men have a rugged persona, characterized by the wearing of tight fitted pants, “the squeeze mi balls (scrotum), hold yuh ankle type” with undergarments exposed. Many men who subscribe to this thug masculinity culture are oftentimes seen as rude and are usually at odds with academia. Thug masculinity is a form of street corner socialization divorced from the trappings of the well-dapper male. Interestingly, many women find this “thuggy thuggy” masculinity rather alluring and charming. A female colleague, Angella shared that she prefers well-groomed men, however, she draws a line with men who shave or shape their eye brows, this according to Angella is too extreme and not in keeping with who is a man. “No where best personifies metrosexaulity as Jamaica.” So says Troy. . “In many societies it is enough to purchase a standard of clothing but the Jamaican males take it a step further by having said clothing tailored to fit just right.” He added, not only are these males the followers of the latest fashion trends but also its innovators shown by the Hollywood lifestyles depicted in the dancehalls. Troy argues, that even beyond dancehall, the Jamaican high society males stick to particular brands. It is these middle and upper class males that are known for mani/pedicure and the changing of vehicles to identify with the latest motor trends. Troy posits that the bleaching of the skin and the wearing of teeth braces is part of the dancehall culture and by extension part of the metrosexual male. Troy is of the view that in taking on such behavioural traits one is no less of a man. However, he firmly believes that in the notion that whatever we give most of our time tends to define who we are. Can a person who dedicates them self to fashion and its every pursuit help becoming vain, he asks? For a man this can very well mean he starts neglecting more worthwhile and higher priority things, such as family. Troy concludes that this is the point at which masculinity is affected and the individual makes himself an infidel despite his outward persona. The twenty first century male is fortunate. He is lucky in that he has multiple masculinities from which to define his own sense of manhood. The society continues to revolve around modernity and with this association men are allowed the freedom to explore experiment and appreciate new forms of masculinities. The reality is people are no longer willing to allow the society to dictate to them, how and in what manner they should live and express their individuality as sexual beings. In the words of sociologist, Raewyn Connell, there is abundant evidence that masculinities are multiple, with internal complexities and even contradictions; also that masculinities change in history and that women have a considerable role in making them, in interaction with boys and men.
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in
development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
#religion #queermasculinity #metrosexual #masculinity #manhood #gender #Jamaica #society #sexualorientation #queereye #brotherhood #socialization #culture #discrimination
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