The Man Issue (V.10)

MAN UP
Written by Anaiah Lupton
While observing the dualities between men and women and furthering
understanding with androgynous and gender neutral civilians, one
can find noteworthy overlaps in the human condition. When looking
at the cultural connotations and systems that apply to gender
there are many factors to consider; such as: eastern and western cultural
dynamics, ethnicity, and societal pressures that either exacerbate or
sedate raw emotion. As one who grew up predominantly around
women, tackling concepts around masculinity feels similar to the
introduction of “cooties” and my first understanding of gender
and most importantly: division. A natural oppositional ideology
came into play when learning about cooties. For many these divisions
feel suffocating, and for some confusing. I find it imperative
to focus on humanness and the overlaps in connection as opposed
to the differences. In order to better understand the patriarchy and
its hindrance on women’s (and men’s) opportunities, I spoke with
several different men about masculinity and the role it plays in their
life as a young male living in the United States in 2016. These men
come from different denominations, backgrounds, races and sexual
orientations and speaking with them provided insight on their ideas
of masculinity in western culture and how it has affected them.
I sat down with a 22 year old musician from south texas who is married
and asexual. He grew up in a militant, yet progressive household.
He participated in Adventure Scouts (co-ed) which allotted boys and
girls to experience wildlife and outdoor activities on an equal scale.
His first understandings of sexism came when he was much older
and when he was presented with a societal push to equate affection