Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2019 3:26 pm
Achidyemay wrote:Wait, why is masculinity generally a good thing? As I see it it attempts to make me less like myself and more like some sort of 1950s stereotype invented by advertising.
Like I get there is some sort of attack on masculinity happening here, but what masculinity is and what it means to be a man is definitely determined by the culture of the society and if what advertisers have determined being a "good man" is is detrimental to the mental health of men, then defending manliness is stupid and probably evil.
But the question is whether or not "traditional masculinity" actually is detrimental to men's mental health. Certainly some people feel better after having a good cry and expressing their feelings. Other people, "traditionally masculine men" along with masculine women, do not necessarily find comfort or relief in that sort of thing. Some men find the former helpful and others do not. What's important is not pushing the former to be more stoic, or pushing the stoic to be more emotional. This paper is doing just that, though, by suggesting that it's inherently detrimental to not gush your emotions when you feel bad. Really, the same goes for other points in the paper. Aggression is not bad if it's disciplined and is a natural expression of the individual. Being hyper competitive is not bad unless that's not actually who you are. Pathologizing these behaviors and intentionally omiting their biological basis is a direct attempt to force people to behave contrary to their identity.
Personally, if something is bothering me I find that it helps very little to express my emotions. What makes me feel better is addressing what's causing the emotional response. My wife is the opposite. She finds venting her emotions to be helpful, whether the underlying problem is actually solved or not. It's offensive to say that I'm less mentally well than she is on that basis.