Read the article "Are you man enough?"by a university undergraduate that portrays a certain image of masculinity.The advertisement also appears to convey a message.
Write a response expressing your views on the written text and the visual text.Justify your views by referring to the article and the images and where appropriate,your own reading and viewing.
Examiner's comments
This student is able to interpret the subtext of the article and the advertisement.He/She is able to use subject specific words and give rebuttal to the ideas expressed using examples from her /his own experience/observation.He/She is able to understand key cultural attitude and beliefs in the texts.This is a critically analyzed answer with evidence of independent thinking.The student engages with the text through astute generalizations,concrete examples from his/her own cultural worldview.This student can differentiate between literal and connotative terms as well as critique common stereotypes.
The advertisement shown in Text 7 is the product of male gender stereotype,which has a term of its own,known as "hegemonic masculinity."The advertisement by the ATARI 7800 video game console,gives us the implied meaning that men,in particular teenagers with raging hormones,are always hot tempered and like to cause violence to show off their strength.This is because it was mentioned that the boys targeted loved "to destroy cities," break heads" and so on.On the other hand,the advertisement in Text 8 by a body building association,implies that women only favour strong men and strong men are those who have tough,bulging muscles with equally huge egos.In my opinion,although times have changed,this message of masculinity will continue to exist in mainstream society,especially among teenagers and young adults.Although the way the message is implied might have changed,it will still carry the same idea;that is a man is considered a real "man" or "macho" only if he oozes with masculinity.This situation has to change as masculinity cannot be solely measured by a man's physical attributes as there are various other positive attributes a man might possess.
The article in Text 9 claims that often our deeds are measured in terms of whether they are masculine or feminine enough.This is very true as this culture or mindset has been prevalent in society throughout the years.For instance, aboy who loves to cook and sew might be taunted by his peers as he may be looked upon as a "sissy" or"effeminate" male,although there are numerous male tailors and chefs all over the world.Similarly, a girl who plays football might be considered strange,although there are various female soccer national teams which participated in international tournaments like the Women World Cup.
Secondly,the writer mentions in the article that men should ditch this culture of hegemonic masculinity and start forming a new perception of masculinity.Again,I agree with this point of view as if we want a change,we should spark and embrace change.For instance,when a person decides that he wants to become a classical dancer such as Marvin Khoo,we should support the person and not discourage him.This is because strength, a feature attributed to male masculinity is not only reflected in body building,weight lifting and so on.A classical dancer too needs strength when he carries out difficult movements during his dance,such as jumping,bending his body into difficult ,awkward postures and so on.
Another point which I would like to agree with the writer is a man who is confident of his own masculinity will willingly accept others with non stereotypical instances of masculinity such as mentioned in the text about boys who're into dancing and sewing.This is because when a person refuses to follow a stereotype,he has to come to terms with his own personality through a successful introspective soul searching.Therefore he understands and does not fear those different from him.
In conclusion,men must no longer fall victim to hegemonic masculinity and like the character in the advertisement should not look down on themselves because of their skinny bodies.Instead they should be proud of who they are and accept other men who have different personalities and move towards forming a more positive image of masculinity.
Reference words and transition linkers are of a different colour.
Write a response expressing your views on the written text and the visual text.Justify your views by referring to the article and the images and where appropriate,your own reading and viewing.
Examiner's comments
This student is able to interpret the subtext of the article and the advertisement.He/She is able to use subject specific words and give rebuttal to the ideas expressed using examples from her /his own experience/observation.He/She is able to understand key cultural attitude and beliefs in the texts.This is a critically analyzed answer with evidence of independent thinking.The student engages with the text through astute generalizations,concrete examples from his/her own cultural worldview.This student can differentiate between literal and connotative terms as well as critique common stereotypes.
The advertisement shown in Text 7 is the product of male gender stereotype,which has a term of its own,known as "hegemonic masculinity."The advertisement by the ATARI 7800 video game console,gives us the implied meaning that men,in particular teenagers with raging hormones,are always hot tempered and like to cause violence to show off their strength.This is because it was mentioned that the boys targeted loved "to destroy cities," break heads" and so on.On the other hand,the advertisement in Text 8 by a body building association,implies that women only favour strong men and strong men are those who have tough,bulging muscles with equally huge egos.In my opinion,although times have changed,this message of masculinity will continue to exist in mainstream society,especially among teenagers and young adults.Although the way the message is implied might have changed,it will still carry the same idea;that is a man is considered a real "man" or "macho" only if he oozes with masculinity.This situation has to change as masculinity cannot be solely measured by a man's physical attributes as there are various other positive attributes a man might possess.
The article in Text 9 claims that often our deeds are measured in terms of whether they are masculine or feminine enough.This is very true as this culture or mindset has been prevalent in society throughout the years.For instance, aboy who loves to cook and sew might be taunted by his peers as he may be looked upon as a "sissy" or"effeminate" male,although there are numerous male tailors and chefs all over the world.Similarly, a girl who plays football might be considered strange,although there are various female soccer national teams which participated in international tournaments like the Women World Cup.
Secondly,the writer mentions in the article that men should ditch this culture of hegemonic masculinity and start forming a new perception of masculinity.Again,I agree with this point of view as if we want a change,we should spark and embrace change.For instance,when a person decides that he wants to become a classical dancer such as Marvin Khoo,we should support the person and not discourage him.This is because strength, a feature attributed to male masculinity is not only reflected in body building,weight lifting and so on.A classical dancer too needs strength when he carries out difficult movements during his dance,such as jumping,bending his body into difficult ,awkward postures and so on.
Another point which I would like to agree with the writer is a man who is confident of his own masculinity will willingly accept others with non stereotypical instances of masculinity such as mentioned in the text about boys who're into dancing and sewing.This is because when a person refuses to follow a stereotype,he has to come to terms with his own personality through a successful introspective soul searching.Therefore he understands and does not fear those different from him.
In conclusion,men must no longer fall victim to hegemonic masculinity and like the character in the advertisement should not look down on themselves because of their skinny bodies.Instead they should be proud of who they are and accept other men who have different personalities and move towards forming a more positive image of masculinity.
Reference words and transition linkers are of a different colour.
