The impact of obsolete masculine beliefs
By Ivan Suen
Ancient masculine beliefs are the dominant root of physical and mental dejection, devastation, and disorientation prevalent in the male gender.
Thousands of years ago, homosapiens employed strength to garner dominance and superiority. Those capable of fighting exhibited aggression, hostility, and belligerence, gaining power and marginalizing those who were seen as inferior. These behaviors continued for centuries, most prominently in the male gender.
Brian Liu, a student studying at Renaissance College Hong Kong, agrees: "The hostile nature found in the male gender is the reason why most soldiers were men" during both world wars. Subsequently, these behaviors morphed into expected gender norms and have since been deeply rooted in society. However, centuries have gone by with the same beliefs still present in society; this leads one to think - the world has improved, but why have gender beliefs stayed the same?
From a young age, men are taught that they are obligated to be "tough all the time" and are prohibited from being "feminine" or weak. If one cannot exhibit these expected behaviors, they may fall short of becoming a "real man," unable to gain acceptance among others.
Vivien Mok, a student currently studying in Taiwan, thinks "masculine beliefs tend to make men more aggressive, often resorting to violence and even abuse." Often, these beliefs have led males to exert dominance against their female counterparts.
Stacey Leung, Head of Year 11 at RCHK, believes "masculinity includes the mentality that men are superior to women,” to validate their pre-established "identity." Consequently, to re-establish their "manhood," destructive behaviors are augmented, including bullying, domestic violence, and sexual assault. The reckless behaviors manifested are dangerous and harmful, leading the victims to be physically and mentally deranged.
Mental deterioration is a significant component of traditional masculine beliefs. Men who fail to show their "toughness" are subject to shame, humiliation, ridiculed, and often taunted for being too feminine, bringing shame to the family and society as a whole. Comments like these I had to endure for many years. Consequently, many males are silently struggling with mental disorders and are hesitant to ask for help, believing it diminishes the authoritarian behavior they are inclined to possess.
Avis Fung, a student, currently studying in the UK, adds that “mental likeness is a taboo topic amongst men, [and] causes higher depression and suicide rates in males."
Recently, renowned and successful celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain died of suicide at the age of sixty-one. He had struggled with anger issues, addiction, and depression in the past, but was always hesitant to ask for help. The tragic loss of Bourdain has provoked a conversation about men and mental health.
Conventional masculine beliefs were tailor-made for the past and are not feasible in the modern-day, becoming obsolete and conflicting with opinions arising in current society. Modern revolutions have led the world to improve as a whole. The rise of gender and social movements has brought both genders closer together, diminishing the opposite gender's pre-existing definitions. In Hong Kong, an increasing number of families have men stay at home with the children, and females take on the role of the family breadwinner. In the olden days, men who stayed at home and had their wives earn a living, were seen as futile and mindless individuals, described as "pigs."
Apart from this, women in the workforce are seen as "leftovers" and unable to find husbands to support them. Veronica Baker, a psychology teacher at RCHK, explains: "The extent of the issue is completely dependent on the social and cultural implications in society."
Some places may have gotten over expected gender norms, but it is still a significant cultural element in other places, such as India (along with many other places), where males are seen as strong and authoritative family members. Therefore, although dictating the philosophy of becoming a "real man" with an ideology rooted centuries ago is unfeasible, a specific culture's entanglements in a particular region must be considered.
Many argue that traditional ideologies of masculinity are a convenient excuse for men to exert dominance over women in the modern-day. However, theorists have neglected that the belief in men's strong demeanor has been ingrained into societies and cultures for centuries. It is unrealistic, impossible, and impractical to overcome an ideology deeply etched into fundamental human beliefs. Hence, both genders' awareness is necessitated to instigate long-term development to evolve this part of society; action must be taken swiftly before more anguish results.
Image by Raphael Brasileiro, courtesy of Pexels.