Description
Book SynopsisRhetoric of Masculinity: Male Body Image, Media, and Gender Role Stress/Conflict lends depth and global nuance to discourse associated with the masculinity concept as it brings to bear on males' self-image, role in society, media representations of them, and the gender role stress/conflict experienced when they fail to measure up to social standards associated with what it means to be manly. Even though the concept of masculine gender role stress/conflict has received substantial scholarly attention in psychology, social learning effects of masculinity as it plays out in media warrant further study given that representations offer audiences restrictive male gender roles that may contribute to toxic masculinity. Men and boys are taught to be self-sufficient, to act tough, to be muscular, heterosexual, and to use aggression to resolve conflicts. Such contexts provide restrictive images that can result in self harm and an inflexible social milieu. Scholars and students of communication, rhetoric, and gender studies will find this book particularly interesting.
Trade Review"A breakthrough book that is very significant because it reveals how the rhetoric of masculinity harms men and women in our patriarchal society. Gender role stress/conflict is real and its deleterious effects have been demonstrated through years of research. Now Dr. Pompper and her colleagues show just how pervasive gender role stress/conflict is in our culture and media. The authors take on the patriarchy, damaging stereotypes and binary gender roles, and expose the psychological damage they cause. This book will generate future research and theory building because it illuminates how patriarchal masculinity causes so much pain and suffering in our world. It’s a must-read for gender scholars, researchers, and students of media and communications and the psychology of men and women."
-- James M. O'Neil, Neag School of Education, University of Connecticut
"Pompper’s Rhetoric of Masculinity: Male Body Image, Media, and Gender Role Stress/Conflict is a brilliant collection of work that synthesizes contemporary theory and research on masculinities with current social issues (e.g., #MeToo, the COVID pandemic, social media influencers) to refine, expand, and advance our understanding of the intrapersonal, interpersonal, societal, and cultural impacts on men’s embodiment, well-being, and relationships. This interdisciplinary text offers much-needed comprehensive and critical views of masculinities and the socially constructed 'masculinity crisis' that will be of profound interest for all students and scholars who study gender."
-- Tracy L. Tylka, Ohio State University
"This important volume offers an antidote to the toxic statement of 'man up' by offering studies, stories, and theories to help scholars and students 'masculinity up.' With a comprehensive overview and introduction to the subject written by editor Donnalyn Pompper, and compelling contributions by researchers and theorists from many disciplines, The Rhetoric of Masculinity shows us ways to consider this concept among humans, occupations, media, and conflicts in society today. What does culture expect from men who are athletes, disabled veterans, media creators, musicians, garbage collectors, and victims of abuse? How do we represent these varieties of people well and fairly? How can we see pandemic protestors as part of the masculinity crisis? This excellent volume gives us a masculinity map in all its complexity, beauty, and pain."
-- Jacqueline Lambiase, Texas Christian University
"The study of maleness has evolved over the decades and must be updated within the realm of the socio-political climate we are living in today. The Rhetoric of Masculinity does just that. Its chapters present novel information that students and scholars may use to update theories and popular beliefs regarding masculinity, maleness, and how they are shaped by the media, culture, and societal norms. While an unfamiliar terrain and less researched and documented topic, the book includes a knowledgeable collection of scholars to explore the important topic. Authors do an excellent job of providing insight into how media messages impact sexuality, maleness, stereotypes, and perceptions."
-- Mia Moody-Ramirez, Baylor University
"Donnalyn Pompper’s Rhetoric of Masculinity: Male Body Image, Media, and Gender Role Stress/Conflictmasterfully situates masculinity through carefully curated studies on thought-provoking issues."
-- Keonte Coleman, Middle Tennessee State University
Table of ContentsTable of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Male GRC/S as Viewed through Psychology and Communication Lenses – Pompper
Unit I: Masculinities in Nature or Nurture
Chapter 1: Taking the Natural Red Pill: Conflicting Gender Roles through Nature and Antiquity in the Manosphere
Marcia Allison & Jesper Greve Kristensen
Chapter 2: Case Studies of Male Rhetorical Mediation of Sexual Violence and Gender Role Stress/Conflict in the #MeToo Era
Robert Mundy
Chapter 3: When Nothing Changes into Something: Gender Role Stress/Conflict Among Asexual Viewers of BoJack Horseman
ben Brandley & Katherine Mullé
Chapter 4: Pulling Back the Curtain on Advertisers' Perceptions of Male Images in U.S. Ads
Juan Mundel & Maria DeMoya
Chapter 5: Dirty Work Masculinity and Coping Strategies among Garbage Collectors
Akira Sai & Taro Yamauchi
Unit II: Masculinity & Social Identity Intersectionalities
Chapter 6: Exploring Masculinities in Ancient and Up-and-Coming Sports in South East Asia
Mark Brooke
Chapter 7: Masculinity, Identity, and Disabled Veterans: How British Audiences Respond to Representations of Military Veterans on Prime Time BBC Programmes
Jenna Pitchford-Hyde
Chapter 8: Nawaz Sharif: The Rise and Fall of a Pakistani Sher (Big Cat)
Sakina Jangbar
Chapter 9: The Machismo Conflict of Bad Bunny’s Yo Perreo Sola in Reggaetón
Nathian Shae Rodriguez
Unit III: Masculinities & Emotionality
Chapter 10: “Bitch-Ass Pussy!”: Perceptions of Abused Men Predicted by Media, Educational, and Experiential Topic Exposure
Jessica J. Eckstein & Jessica Cherry
Chapter 11: It’s Not Unusual, or Is It? Tom Jones’ Unique Blend of Heteromasculine
Emotionality
Donnalyn Pompper
Chapter 12: Retire Like a Man: Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, and Competing Masculinities
Anthony V. LaStrape & Ann E. Burnette
Chapter 13: A Critical Exploration of Pandemic Protection as a Threat to Masculinity:
Facemask Usage and Gender
James Carviou & Jennifer A. Jackson
Chapter 14: New Media Masculinities: How YouTube Influencers Incubate Masculine Ideologies and Mentor Men Through Gender Role Conflict/Stress
Gabriel Parks, Daniel Russo, & Jenni Simon
Chapter 15: Conclusion: Agency for All, Where It Counts
Donnalyn Pompper
Bibliography
About the Contributors
