Media Impact

 Media creates an ideal (in society's standards) and at most times unrealistic portrayal of not only females, which is more often discussed, but men as well. Men are stereotyped to be tough and to be a hero. They are not prohibited to show emotion, any crying or fear is regarded with the most dire insults: pussy or gay. It places these expectations on men to embellish this role and behave in a particular manner.Where women are considered weak, men must be the rescuer for the damsel in distress and pick fights with other men to ensure their masculinity. It's sad because this stereotype for men is also expected to treat women as sexual objects, reinforcing a stereotype upon women as well. Men must be violent and on edge to jump on the opportunity to fight someone once they've questioned the male's masculinity. Whether it's a gang member defending his territory with violence or a man beating another man up for name calling him a wimp, men are expected to meet certain criteria in order to seem appealing within society. If they don't fulfill these requirements, then they're not men. I have male friends whom are insecure about themselves because of this anticipated image. It allows for men to perceive themselves as negative individuals if they can't meet these standards. There's a documentary called "Tough Guise" that discusses this image of men that is displayed through media. It does a good job of explaining why this image is so completely corrupted and how it negatively influences men within society.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3exzMPT4nGI