Male and female represent the two sides of the great radical dualism. But in fact they are perpetually passing into one another. Fluid hardens to solid, solid rushes to fluid. There is no wholly masculine man, no purely feminine woman.
Margaret Fuller
Big Boys Don't Cry
Stemming back to the beginning of most cultures, sociologists have documented records of male dominance. Males were the aggressive hunters and warriors of almost every society, while women bore children and made food and clothing. How our ancestors decided which gender plays which role is unknown. The idea that men must be strong and aggressive stems from our childhood and upbringing in society. Parents can not shelter their sons from these implicit stereotypes, as they too are part of the society. These socially constructed ideas and standards around men and masculinity are feminist issues, as the manner in which males think and behave will impact how women are treated.
English: Arnold Schwarzenegger in July 2003
Licentie
English: Gov. Schwarzenegger visits Old Town Eurek...The focus on masculinity amongst males is really a focus on the continuum of patriarchy, as male gender and its concepts of masculinity are constructed via a tightly braided web of external forces, namely parenting, peer relationships and the media
The first and foremost influence is the family. The mother/father son relationship is one of extreme importance; how parents interact with their son will have a large impact on how he relates to others, how he feels about himself, how he treats women, and how he will treat his children. In spite of this common knowledge, many parents abandon their intuitions and conform to the more culturally and socially acceptable models of parenting their sons, often believing they are helping prepare them for entrance to the disparaging world of reality. Beginning when a baby boy is born, parents will introduce his sex to society by...