500-600 words- reaction to this. How gender identity is shaped

Selena Lim
9:00 am class

What or who creates the definition of masculinity that separates it from femininity. The gender boxes that separate the two sexes have been passed down through family members, teachers, the government, but most importantly, the media. The media has the ability to manipulate ideas, opinions and thoughts; in this case, the opinion of what makes a man a man. Masculinity is not a trait that people are born with. It is an act that is influenced by what they are told, see, and hear. The video that we saw proved this by showing how action figures have transformed from the early 70s to current. Masculinity has become more defined by toughness and physical appearances, while women beauty is defined by small frames and quiet personalities. As we are continually shown this on a daily pattern, we start believing it more and more. Men who cry or perform acts that are known as parallels to femininity are teased with words such as girly, sissy, pussy, wimps, etc. If these actions are considered “feminine” and are excused as being wimpy, does that mean girls are considered weak and helpless? Moreover are men not allowed to show their emotions in fear of being called girls? I, and probably the majority of the female population take offense to our gender being used as insults. I take pride in the fact that females are considered more calm, open, and kind; however I believe that these are hidden characteristics of males too. Men are sensitive too, but because of the gender boxes that exist, they try not to let it show. Last year in psychology class we learned about how people can easily be manipulated. One case of a man claiming to be Jesus, who convinced his followers to commit suicide because he was almost arrested, was the most alarming story. The idea that one opinion can be as contagious as to get people to end their own life is a frightful reminder that people listen to what other people say. While some people may be more easily convinced than others, everyone has the part in them that forces them to listen to what other people tell them. For every leader, there are hundreds of followers. It is different with the media. The media has the advantage of distributing its opinions to a much larger group. The radio, television, computer, ads, billboards, commercials, etc spread to every part of the world at all times of the day. Whoever controls the media are the most powerful people in the world. Currently, four networks are the lead controlling groups of media. They have the ability to make their opinions be the only opinions. Therefore, we must stick to our own ideas and thoughts to defeat the dictator-like media. We can do this by not only adhering to what the media tells us is beautiful, which style is in, which electronics is best, what is masculinity, what love is, etc. We should just be ourselves and let our individuality shine.