Boys Hit! Got It?

Jackson Kats video "Tough Guise", is a video about how bys learn to perform their gender. Media sends a specific message to young boys and that message is simple; if you want to be a man, you must simply be aggressive. From an early age on we find examples of male figures using guns and fighting to solve their issues. From my personal favorite, Power Rangers, to movies like the Terminator, and even television shows like wrestling and more. All of these examples portray men as aggressive. Our society has very clear standards, and boys are simply not supposed to be weak in any aspect. Men are supposed to be manly. That is fearless, strong, and superior to women. Jackson Kats talks about how many images of males in the media are aggressive toward women. Males are often more respected than woman, and women are often subjects to male figures.

What messages to these portrayals of males in the media give to little boys that know no better? Well for starters, its gives them an obvious standard they have to follow if they don’t want to be socially barred. So boys fight to defend their manhood. They use their fists, guns, and weapons to resolve issues rather then simply talking it out. Why? Because they aren’t supposed to show any weakness. They’re guys, and that’s simply what guys do. No where does all of this leave us with gender relations? Women are inferior and men control them right? Right. Women don’t matter, they should follow the order of things, and if not, they should get punished. Psychically. Jackson Kats offers some statistics on the likelihood of young boys eventually growing up and becoming abusive in romantic relationships. Again, just like with societies influence on girls, society needs to step back and take a look at it’s contribution to our current societal issues.