Tough Guise: Violence, Media & the Crisis in Masculinity
The question that really comes out of this is ‘why are boys behaving in this way?’ ‘Why is 90% of violence committed by boys and men?’ It’s not just in these few places (like video games or movies) but it’s in what passes for normal culture. It is part of the normal training and conditioning and socializing of boys and men. That’s a point that a lot of people don’t want to hear, but if you look at the culture these kids are immersed in, violence is a normal, natural part, not just of the world, but of being masculine or being a male person in the world. It’s not just in these few places (like video games or movies) but it’s in what passes for normal culture. It is part of the normal training and conditioning and socializing of boys and men. That’s a point that a lot of people don’t want to hear, but if you look at the culture these kids are immersed in, violence is a normal, natural part, not just of the world, but of being masculine or being a male person in the world.
In this innovative and wide-ranging analysis, Jackson Katz argues that widespread violence in American society, including the tragic school shootings in Littleton, Colorado, Jonesboro, Arkansas, and elsewhere, needs to be understood as part of an ongoing crisis in masculinity. This exciting new media literacy tool– utilizing racially diverse subject matter and examples– will enlighten and provoke students (both males and females) to evaluate their own participation in the culture of contemporary masculinity.
Watch the full documentary now
October 28th, 2009 at 08:29
I just finished watching “Tough Guise: Violence, Media & the Crisis in Masculinity”. I love the title of it and think it’s really creative. I understand the overall idea speaking out against violence and not being necessarily influenced by what is in the media, but I think the film stretched a few things.
Growing up, I played video games, had a BB gun, played with G.I. Joe toys, was into “professional” wrestling, played sports, and watched movies with guns and violence in them.
I think the main thing, from what I know from myself and my friends growing up, is whether the parents are involved with their children. Today, a lot of parents are too busy watching Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, Jon and Kate +8, etc., and know more about the lives of people on tv, than they do their own children living in their house.
Is the media to blame? As Jackson Katz said, sure it is partly. But how does this media get to the kids? Either the parents are allowing it, or the parents don’t know/don’t care the kids are doing it.
October 28th, 2009 at 15:36
What are images? why do we create all these images of each-other,to be normal, to be tough, to be nice, being beautiful; you are smart, you are dumb?
October 30th, 2009 at 05:49
Thank you Jackson! I’ve been teaching women’s and girl’s self defense for over a decade and know that without your hard work and others like you e.g. Don McPherson, “Men Stopping Rape” etc my work is a futile effort. We live in a society that pigeonholes men and women into two very distinct boxes creating a recipe for violence. Until all of us are free to express a full range of emotions and qualities there will never be peace. Two thumbs up.
January 2nd, 2010 at 09:28
It’s called testosterone. Seriously, this guy is a dip****. The whole masculinity portion in male society goes ALL the way back to ancient times and is nothing new. Look at ancient Greek and Roman portrayals of men, they are nothing really different then what they are now. Guys will be guys, and they always will be. This guy needs to get over himself and realize this.
February 16th, 2010 at 01:44
Gee, Samurai, I’m wondering if you’re only looking at part of history here. Men also wrote epic poems of love. Men wrote legendary books about forgiveness and mercy. Men wrote and acted out sonnets of love and devotion, they painted flowers, they embraced other men, and mourned deeply.
Furthermore, if we’re going to take ancient Greek and Roman portrayals of men as infallible and unchangeable then I suppose it’s time we all embraced pedophilia. Since it was considered normal for young boys to have homosexual relationships with much older men, why don’t we consider it normal now? If it was, indeed, so great.
Things change, dear. Societies and cultures move on. It’s time you did too, or at the very least, accept it.