The Paradox of Masculinity
The video explores how movies and media influence our perceptions of masculinity and gender roles, featuring insights from individuals and academic research.
The discussion begins with moviegoers sharing their thoughts on how films from their childhood shaped their ideas of manhood. Natasha, a UC Berkeley senior, grew up watching movies like "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Jaws," which she describes as featuring "manly men" who "kick butt and kill sharks." Her father encouraged her to watch these films, embodying a "manly perspective." While she enjoys "Raiders," some older movies now feel uncomfortable. Riley, an elementary school librarian, grew up in the early to mid-2000s, a time he feels was a "backlash to the macho hyper-masculine idea." He gravitated towards "nerdy films," while his father preferred genres like Westerns and black exploitation films, which he characterizes as featuring "the cowboy and the pimp" as archetypes of men who "took charge" and were often solitary.
