Contemporary Masculinity Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 7000 words

Contemporary Masculinity - Coursework ExampleSome say the shift was caused by the womens movement, which brought men and women on equal footing. Others conclude the reason is simple economics, with men needing to be well groomed to be more competitive in a tightening job market. Still others pull out the phenomenon to the proliferation of media and the changing face of consumerism.Whatever the reasons, the men exhibiting the old attri just nowes of manhood be held less likely to play a significant part as aim models for the youth in modern civilised life. Todays examples of modern manliness are David Beckham and his courtliness, Peter Mandelson and his buttoned-up punctiliousness, and Ruth Kelly and his dogged refusal to buckle under pressure 1. The raw models of masculinity, according to the growing literature on the subject, require that they no longer engage in barroom brawls and out-drink everybody. They get themselves into trouble now and then but they are not above regrett ing their actions and feeling contrite for these, as gleaned from the frequent outbursts of Beckham on court, for which he would apologize to the sports fans later on. More important, the new icons of masculinity are fastidious about their appearance such that this has given rise to the unisex beauty salons, which used to service an all-female clientele. What brought about this marked shift in cognizance about the concept of true masculinity Were there any events or male personalities then and now that influenced this phenomenon If so, how exactly did it happen These then are the study questions that this paper will seek answers to. The objective is to see what factor or conglomeration of factors and events brought about the change in the new concept of masculinity, and why characteristics previously considered unbecoming of a real man now seem to make up the epitome of manliness. Toward this end, the dissertation explores both the field and the literature for come-at-able expla nation. portion 1 will address metrosexuality, the name by which contemporary masculinity is now known, by focusing on its origin, spread and influences. Section 2 discusses the possible role of celebrities from the movie world, politics and the upper crust of society in bringing about this fascination with a new kind of