A guided perception of masculinity is the absence of anything vaguely homosexual. In the novel Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men by Michael Kimmel, he discusses the contradictions of masculinity and what it takes to be considered real men. In white, middle-class American society, manhood isn't just about having a beard and sleeping with women, it's about distancing yourself from the feminine as much as possible. The most foreign idea to most people would be to consider a gay man “manly.” This unfathomable idea is what drives homophobia and gives homosexuality a bad name. Being called a "sissy" or a "faggot" is worse than being called a "bastard" or an "asshole." Shaking a man about his masculinity and calling him a woman psychologically destroys a man. Guyland describes it this way: “Homophobia – the fear that people might misperceive you as gay – is the animating fear of American masculinity. It’s what lies behind the crazy, risky behavior practiced by boys of all ages, what sparks the fear that other guys will see you as weak, unmanly, scared” (Guyland 50). This type of methodology has been developing for generations, especially in high schools where young boys are physically tortured or beaten for effeminate behavior. The lack of acceptance in culture is increasingly appalling for all age groups. This is a form of cultural conformity, as psychologist Karen Franklin explains: In other words, through heterosexism, any man who refuses to accept the attribution of appropriate masculine behavior by the dominant culture is early labeled as a "sissy"...... middle of paper ...... people to be seen as masculine. All sexualities have the capacity for masculinity, but not all choose to follow the path of aggression and strength. Works CitedFranklin, Karen. “In the minds of people who hate gays.” PBS. WGBH Educational Foundation, nd Web. December 11, 2011. “Gay Men and Masculinity.” MyOutSpirit. Np, March 19, 2006. Web. December 10, 2011. “Gay teens bear the burden of homophobia. » Lambda.org. American Society of Adolescent Psychiatry, 2011. Web. December 11, 2011. Kimmell, Michael. Guyland: The perilous world where boys become men. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2008. Kimmell, Michael. Manliness in America. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1996. 284. Stevens, Tom. “Fraternity Initiations – The Elephant Walk.” Lion of Liberty. Np, January 13, 2011.Web. December 10. 2011.

Essay / A guided perception of masculinity is the absence of anything vaguely homosexual. In the novel Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men by Michael Kimmel, he discusses the contradictions of masculinity and what it takes to be considered real men. In white, middle-class American society, manhood isn't just about having a beard and sleeping with women, it's about distancing yourself from the feminine as much as possible. The most foreign idea to most people would be to consider a gay man “manly.” This unfathomable idea is what drives homophobia and gives homosexuality a bad name. Being called a "sissy" or a "faggot" is worse than being called a "bastard" or an "asshole." Shaking a man about his masculinity and calling him a woman psychologically destroys a man. Guyland describes it this way: “Homophobia – the fear that people might misperceive you as gay – is the animating fear of American masculinity. It’s what lies behind the crazy, risky behavior practiced by boys of all ages, what sparks the fear that other guys will see you as weak, unmanly, scared” (Guyland 50). This type of methodology has been developing for generations, especially in high schools where young boys are physically tortured or beaten for effeminate behavior. The lack of acceptance in culture is increasingly appalling for all age groups. This is a form of cultural conformity, as psychologist Karen Franklin explains: In other words, through heterosexism, any man who refuses to accept the attribution of appropriate masculine behavior by the dominant culture is early labeled as a "sissy"...... middle of paper ...... people to be seen as masculine. All sexualities have the capacity for masculinity, but not all choose to follow the path of aggression and strength. Works CitedFranklin, Karen. “In the minds of people who hate gays.” PBS. WGBH Educational Foundation, nd Web. December 11, 2011. “Gay Men and Masculinity.” MyOutSpirit. Np, March 19, 2006. Web. December 10, 2011. “Gay teens bear the burden of homophobia. » Lambda.org. American Society of Adolescent Psychiatry, 2011. Web. December 11, 2011. Kimmell, Michael. Guyland: The perilous world where boys become men. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2008. Kimmell, Michael. Manliness in America. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1996. 284. Stevens, Tom. “Fraternity Initiations – The Elephant Walk.” Lion of Liberty. Np, January 13, 2011.Web. December 10. 2011.

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