Masculinity: Various forms

- Shresta Yasarapu '21

The whole idea of being masculine has emerged over a long period. Today we believe masculinity is showing strength, not expressing emotions, dressing up as a man. The real question here is, who put up these rules? Who put up these rules that only a man who is strong, non- expressive is masculine? And who put up norms that a man should dress in a certain way? Why should a man only wear pants, why not skirts?

Scientifically, some behaviors that we consider masculine are biologically influenced. However, there are other attributes that are socially constructed. Infact, the idea of being masculine is socially constructed. Human mankind has outgrown knowing that there are more genders other than male and female. On the internet, we see various people of different genders expressing themselves, with the only hope to gain support and love from their fellow mates. If kind enough, they even hope to gain support and love from others too. It truly is mesmerizing to watch people expressing themselves in their most comfortable way. Moreover, it excites me that these people are confident in the way they express themselves. Like every coin has two sides, the responses also have two sides, obviously.

Some men/boys receive hate because they are not “masculine” enough. Not “masculine” enough? Men who are skinny, express emotions and dress up in their own specialized way are criticized for not being masculine enough. Biologically, some are strong, some are weak. It all depends on the biological state of their body, genetics and lifestyle. This shouldn’t be a criterion to assess whether a man is masculine or not. Masculine does not only have to mean strength.

Secondly, men who express emotions or cry are considered to be weak or are not masculine. First of all, it is the basic necessity of any human to express emotions. Not expressing emotions is like bottling up or saving up all of your emotions only to burst right open at one point. Crying is not weak. We’ve heard it from our elders, friends and society that crying is weak. How? Infact, I consider crying to be a brave act. You are brave to open up your emotions and let it out, instead of concealing them with a layer of pride. Crying shows much you have gone through and your sufferings. It shows how strong you have been and it worsened to a point that you could not bear anymore. We must remember that revealing everything is better than concealing your emotions with a foolish sense of pride.

Thirdly, the dressing style. Men who dress up in a skirt, frock or use any kind of makeup are not “masculine”. We have almost never seen any cosmetic product highlighting that a particular product is only for women. It is for all. Every human has his/her way of being confident and beautiful. This could be through various ways. Men can use makeup to feel pretty/beautiful.

Like any societal problem, this problem will only be resolved when the society truly understands.

Masculinity is a socially constructed term and the set of attributes that are associated are also socially constructed. They were never proved by the universe or by the energy present around us. They are merely attributes that have been decided by some humans. Hence, there will be no harm in adding a few more attributes. Let us provide love and support to those “manly men” who cry and express emotions too:)