The Tough Standard: The Hard Truths about Masculinity and Violence

Description

Men are commonly expected to act "masculine" (e.g., self-sufficient, stoic, strong, dependable, brave, tough, and hard-working) while avoiding stereotypically "feminine" traits (e.g., emotional expressivity, empathy, and nurturance). Few, however, realize that these qualities--when taken to the extreme--can cause emotional constriction, substance abuse, depression, aggression, and violence in many men. Further, even though most men are not violent, decades of research has shown that masculinity is distinctly related to sexual and gun violence and men's poorer health. Considering how girls and women have benefitted from decades of conversations on navigation of their gender in a changing world, similar processes are urgently needed for boys and men. The Tough Standard connects the dots between masculinity and the present moment in American culture (defined by high-profile movements such as Me Too, March for Our Lives, and Black Lives Matter), synthesizes over four decades of research in the psychology of men and masculinities, and proposes solutions to corresponding social problems. Cover The Tough Standard Copyright Contents Acknowledgments 1. Masculinity and the Present Cultural Moment 2. Theories of Gender and How Masculinity Is Measured 3. Consequences of Masculinity 4. Summaries of Research on Masculinity’s Harmful Linkages 5. Masculinity’s Role in Gun and Other Physical Violence 6. Masculinity’s Role in Sexual Violence 7. Men’s Health and Experiences of Trauma 8. Many Masculinities 9. What Can Be Done Coda Appendix About the Authors References Index