The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s staggering series on the issue of violence in Canadian schools calls attention to an independent research conducted which reveals that Canadian students experience gender-based violence from a very young age. The research divulges that girls tend to experience gender-based violence mainly through sexual harassment and/or assault while boys tend to experience gender-based violence primarily through bullying. Toxic societal perceptions and definitions of masculinity appear to facilitate and even encourage gender-based violence in schools.

Toxic societal perceptions of masculinity gravely affect the portrayal and treatment of women and young girls in society. Fears of being regarded as effeminate are instilled in boys at a young age and discourage them from adopting any stereotypically feminine behaviours. These fears even go so far as to encourage young boys to both view and “value girls and women only as sexual objects,” making the development of healthy male-female friendships extremely difficult for many (“Men in Relationships” 171). In addition to preventing boys from creating deep, meaningful friendships with girls, fears of being perceived as effeminate drive boys to act overtly ‘manly’ or ‘masculine,’ and pushes them to exaggerate “all the traditional rules of masculinity, including sexual predation with women” (Masculinity as Homophobia 148). In fact, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s research uncovers that girls often have a tendency to experience gender-based violence through sexual harassment and/or assault. A national online survey the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation commissioned revealed that “26 per cent of girls say they experienced unwanted sexual contact at school” and “one in four students first experienced sexual harassment or assault before Grade 7” (McGuire). Toxic societal perceptions of masculinity allow and even seem to encourage gender-based violence against young girls. Boys and men who believe they are falling short of cultural standards of masculinity are motivated to overcompensate or exaggerate ‘masculine’ attitudes and behaviours. Fears of being perceived as an effeminate male can make boys or men feel their masculinity is threatened by the presence of girls or women in school or in the workplace, ultimately causing women to become “the targets of sexual harassment” as equality of the sexes can threaten masculinity and the sexual predation of women ensures that “the playing field of male competition remains stacked against all newcomers to the game” (Masculinity as Homophobia 150). Fears of being emasculated or regarded as effeminate thus promote sexism and even sexual violence against
young girls.

In addition, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s research imparts that young boys frequently experience gender-based violence through bullying. In Masculinity as Homophobia (1994), American sociologist Michael Kimmel shares that when he was young, one would ask a boy to look at his fingernails as a test of his masculinity. Kimmel explains that if a boy “held his palm down toward his face and curled his fingers back to see them, he passed the test,” looking at his nails ‘like a man’ would (Masculinity as Homophobia 148). However, if a boy “held the back of his hand away from his face, and looked at his fingernails with arm outstretched,” he was instantly humiliated and ridiculed as a “sissy” by his peers (Masculinity as Homophobia 148).Growing up, young boys quickly learn that their “peers are a kind of gender police, constantly threatening to unmask [them] as feminine, as sissies” (Masculinity as Homophobia 148). The national online survey the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation commissioned also revealed that “41 per cent of boys say they were physically assaulted at high school” (McGuire). In fact, boys are even more likely to face violence than girls, “with four in 10 boys between the ages of 14 and 21 reporting they were on the receiving end of an assault involving slaps, punches, kicks or bites” (Common). The fear of being regarded as effeminate plays a huge role in the constant bullying and humiliation of young boys who are pressured into not displaying any signs of ‘feminine’ behaviour.

Moreover, young boys in schools are often scared to come forward about the violence they’ve either experienced or witnessed. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation notes from the national online survey they conducted that approximately “50 per cent of high school kids don’t report violence they’ve experienced or witnessed,” proving that violence in schools is a frequently unreported issue (McGuire). The team at Marketplace discovered that “kids don’t always tell authorities what is happening to them, perhaps because they fear nothing positive will come of it,” and for many young boys, reporting violence or bullying brings them no justice (McGuire). A student named Jayden interviewed by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation shared with them that going to a teacher to report a violent incident usually gets one despised by their peers and labelled as a snitch. Young boys fear being segregated by their peers which they’re already pressured to be somewhat emotionally disconnected from with all those emotional display rules they are encouraged to follow. From an early age, young boys are encouraged to “avoid behaviors, interests, and personality traits” that are viewed as stereotypically feminine and pressured to not display any emotion as “emotion is often considered a central and defining characteristic of femininity” (“Defining Men’s Studies” 5). Another student actually confessed to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that when he tried to report that he was a victim of bullying, he was advised to ‘toughen up.’ His masculinity seems to have been brought up to encourage him to disregard the issue he tried to report as well as push him to internalize the violence he was a victim of. Young boys fear being emasculated by other boys or men. They fear being seen as effeminate. These fears scare many young boys into keeping quiet about violence in schools.

By exposing the issue of gender-based violence in schools and by having open discussions about the issue, only then can we hope to eliminate the problem. We must first collectively recognize that there is a problem in order to then be able to understand some of the sources of gender-based violence such as the dire impact of toxic ‘masculine’ ideals and societal definitions of masculinity which are forced down young boys’ throats. The “troubling social trend” of peer-on-peer violence has a serious impact on students, the parents of students, and society overall (McGuire). Schools should be more concerned with the amount of gender-based violent incidents that occur in their school and the measures they’re taking to combat this issue, than the effect that releasing records on the violent incidents that have happened in their establishment may cause to their school’s reputation. Students harming other students, whether it be physically or emotionally, is a serious issue in schools that shouldn’t be overlooked or ignored.

Lastly, I would like to bring attention to “The Mask You Live In” which explores a narrow Western definition of masculinity and the harm it causes boys, especially through gender-based violence in schools, as well as explores the harm it causes men. Here’s a link to a brief trailer on “The Mask You Live In” project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=182&v=hc45-ptHMxo&feature=emb_title. I think this project is important as it urges us as a society to challenge prescribed gender roles and highlights how critical it is to have discussions about masculinity when boys are young, both at home and in classrooms, in order to decrease the likelihood or intensity of gender-based violence in schools.

Works Cited

Common, David, et al. “‘I Thought He Was Dead’: CBC Survey Reveals 4 in 10 Boys Are Physically Assaulted at School | CBC News.” CBCnews, CBC/Radio Canada, 8 Nov. 2019, http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/school-violence-marketplace-1.5224865.

Kilmartin, Christopher, and Andrew P. Smiler. “Defining Men’s Studies.” The Masculine Self, Cornwall On Hudson, NY, Sloan Publishing, 2019, pp. 1–7.

Kilmartin, Christopher, and Andrew P. Smiler. “No Man Is an Island: Men in Relationships.” The Masculine Self, Cornwall On Hudson, NY, Sloan Publishing, 2019, pp. 161–171.

Kimmel, Michael. Masculinity as Homophobia. 1994.

McGuire, Jennifer. “Why CBC Started Looking into Violence in Schools | CBC News.” CBCnews, CBC/Radio Canada, 8 Nov. 2019, http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/school-violence- editors-note-1.5331402.

By: Alexandra Rose Morgan Arseneau

On Tuesday, March 9, 2020 we were able to hear a fascinating presentation entitled “From the Red Pill to ‘White Genocide’: An Ethnography of the Alt-Right in Montreal.” by Jay Marquis Manicom. Jay placed himself in an environment where he was surrounded with a group of male supremacists. He wanted to observe and interview these dangerous men to analyze the connections between the online male supremacism and the alt-right. In doing so Jay Marquis Manicom brought up some interesting points which all correlate in one way or another.

He brought up the fact that hierarchy plays an immense role in male supremacists. With hierarchy comes power and dominance. Male supremacists believe they can apply assertion to all women. Jay brought up that in the eyes of these males, women are inferior, worthless and that they are there to only serve them. These males filed with fascist ideas believe that going on sites such as “The Red Pill” to diminish and talk very poorly about women online and have others share and comment even worse things about women is their way of expressing how they are feeling in this society. Male supremacists believe that everything in this society is owed to them and that everyone should look up to them and this is certainly why Jay Marquis Manicom also brought up Donald Trump. Donald Trump can be seen as a dictator who he himself does not see women as equal to men but rather below men. Trump just like male supremacists are both very dangerous in having each their own very strong ideas about what they want our society to become which is not beneficial to women in anyway.

Kilmartin has written many stories which help combine what Jay Marquis Manicom has presented. For example in Kilmartins’ story entitled Men In Relationships he talks about how status in men is very important. On page 162, Kilmartin explains the definition of status and how it “refers to an individual’s position within the social hierarchy.” Males are born with the idea that the more they achieve the more advanced they are on the hierarchy. Just like male supremacists who believe that the more power they gain from climbing up the chain of hierarchy, the better they are in the eyes of everyone else. All males want to be seen as role models, even male supremacists. Kimmel has also written many stories that can further explore what Jay Marquis Manicom has presented. For example in Kimmels’ story entitled Masculinity Kimmel states on page 2, “What it means to be a man varies in different institutional contexts, and those different institutional contexts demand and produce different forms of masculinity.” This relates to male supremacists because in their group they see themselves as better than women and as having more power than women whereas in other groups of men this may not be the case at all. There are many males that see themselves as equal to women. There are various definitions of what a man is and in the context of a male supremacist it involves hating on women.

I would personally never want to live in a world where I, as a girl am scared of men and have to obey by there rules. I hope male supremacists stay online and do not act upon what they say.

By: Alexandra Rose Morgan Arseneau

Interview:

Why are you close to your friend?

Him: I am close to my friend because I have known him for a long time. My best friend and I used to be neighbors. We have been playing and hanging out with one another since we were two years old. We used to live in the same apartment block. We would cross each others paths often and that’s how our friendship started. We started going to each others houses for supper and we would play outside together. As we grew up we found out we had a lot in common like sports, movies, and making each other laugh. Our relationship had grown so strong that even when we moved away from each other we still made sure to never lose touch. We now go to the same college together and share the same locker. We help each other through tough times like breakups and difficulties we encounter in life. We always have each others backs and that is why we are best friends. He is like a brother to me.

What kinds of things do you like to do together?

Him: Just being with him and passing time is enough. We enjoy playing sports like football and hockey together. My best friend and I love eating together and watching movies. We also enjoy playing video games such as league of legends and call of duty. We enjoy talking together whether it is about the stupidest things or the most serious things. We love going to parties with each other. We have an amazing bond together. My best friend and I support each other through everything and never judge each other.

Have you ever told your friend how much he means to you? If so what did you say and how did he react? If you have never told him how much he means to you, why not?

Him: I have never told my best friend how much he means to me. I feel as though my best friend already knows how I feel about him and how much I appreciate him. I feel as though explaining your love and feelings to someone is something that you do to your girlfriend or mother. Boys do not tell each other how much we love one another. We just show it by the things we do for each other. It is like a connection; a brotherhood.

Analysis:

I can tell by his answers that he is very close to his best friend. They seem to not only enjoy having fun together and going out but they also seem to be emotionally connected. As he said, “We enjoy talking together whether it is about the stupidest things or the most serious things.” As stated in the “No Man is an island: Men in Relationships” by Christopher Kilmartin on page 170, “Generally speaking, women often spend time talking about their experiences and feelings while men share activities (Lips, 2008).” I feel as though the male I have interviewed shows a different definition of what being a man is. He is not like the norm, He enjoys expressing his feelings which is great. It does not make him less of a man. Although the male I have interviewed is not shy to talk about his feelings to his best friend, he would never actually present his feelings for his friend himself. This makes him open to the fact that he can trust his friend to keep his secrets and feelings, demonstrating how great of a bond he has with his best friend but it will not allow him to verbally talk about how much he appreciates his friend. He does fall under the norm when Kilmartins’ story implies that men and boys tend to do activities together. They both play sports together and love eating or watching movies. the quality time they spend with one another seems to justify the lack of personal communications they have with each other and is more shown in the form of gestures. There are no I love yous when it comes to him and his best friend. It is but with a connection they know where there friendship stands.

By: Alexandra Rose Morgan Arseneau

What makes a man? A man is seen to have to be strong but emotionless during hard times, to keep to themselves and assert power over the opposite sex. A man can also be seen to cry, show their emotions and even confide how they are feeling to others. The definition of masculinity varies from one place to another. The characteristics and personality of a man can be accepted in one area and then be rejected in another part of the world. A man should not have to feel as though they need to be man enough. Men should just be able to live a comfortable life without being compared to and measured with another man.

Institutions play a great role in identifying what makes a man. Institutions such as, educational facilities, family, religion, and work highlight what a man should be like. As stated on page 3 of “Masculinity” by Michael Kimmel: “Institutions accomplish the creation of gender differences and the reproduction of gender order through several generated processes.” I believe that Kimmel is trying to say that men and women who take part or visit these institutions must act a certain way in order to not be criticized or judged and so doing so can advance in the hierarchy that is presented. Since men and women are already genetically born different it leads to the conclusion that the sexes themselves must be different when dealing with different situations. This allows for the production of gender differences among men and women. For example, a beer company may hire only men because they assume that men are stronger and faster than women when in reality women can also work for them. A man and a woman should be seen as equal and should be judged on the work they accomplish rather then their identity. The idea that women have less power making men think they have to dominate them all the time was discussed in the fourth episode of “Man Enough.” In saying this you can notice how men are seen to be stronger and more powerful where women are seen to be more fragile and helpless. These characteristics are miscomputations seeing as women can also be powerful and men can also be fragile. This ties into Kimmel’s “Masculinity” because men and women are too often criticized for being a man or a woman and not enough for what they actually bring to the table.

The way a man or a woman acts and is should not be criticized for who they are because they are not living up to their society’s standards. Women do not need to always act “feminine” and men do not always need to act “masculine.” Michael Kimmel uses the word “masculinities” instead of using the term “masculinity” in the conclusion of his article on page four. I believe he uses the word masculinities because Kimmel does not see one definition of masculinity, he sees multiple. Masculinities refer to a variation of different definitions of what makes a man. There may be certain contradictions from one society to another about what men should be like but Kimmel wants to accept all men no matter their personality or characteristics. Masculinities will change over time and in todays society different types of masculinities have been accepted. What can be defined as a man today, was not accepted back then. The word masculinities is very broad whereas the word masculinity only defines what is acceptable of a man in their society. Kimmel is trying to be accepting of all men no matter the society. The symbol of a box was brought up in the fourth episode of “Man Enough.” The men referred to the box as if you stay in the box you are accepted and if you step out you will be rejected by society. The idea that men must hide their true identity in order to be accepted. This relates to “Masculinity” by Michael Kimmel because Michael wants to promote acceptance just as the man in the fourth episode of “Man Enough.” No one wants to be trapped in a box. They want to be free.

To conclude, what is man enough? In my eyes there is nothing that makes someone more of a man than another. Men and women need to stop trying to hide who they are or do things they don’t even like because it is seen to be what is accepted. Everyone should just be accepted for who they are.

As stated on page five of Defining Men’s Studies, achievement and status is defined as; successful men who have achieved success through the fields of work, sports, and sexual conquest. The one man who is the most obvious in accomplishing this definition is Hugh Hefner.

Hugh Hefner in the filed of sports has successfully published many articles where women posed for athletes. You may of seen Hugh on television for being admired for his success and for his sexy conquests. He was the founder and co-editor of the playboy magazine. He was also known for his playboy mansion where he has invited several celebrities and wealthy people to party and enjoy women. At his death it was publicly understood that he was worth around $50 million. Later, the market research firm Wealth-X released that Hugh Hefner was worth at least $110 million, with roughly $45 million in liquid assets. many men looked up to Hugh. Hugh was seen as The Man. Based on the definition of someone who has status and achievement,

Hugh Hefner’s accomplishments would suggest that he has achieved this. Some examples of his success that categorizes him as a man with status and achievement are is work, making him millions and being praised with sexy women. He was very much involved in the celebrity and athletic community and will never be forgotten.

By: Daniel Bohbot & Alexandra Morgan Arseneau

The documentary “The Mask You Live In,” presented a lot of shocking research which really had me thinking. I had a hard time believing most of the things they said for they were upsetting and sounded so unrealistic. This goes to show that many points jumped out at me. For instance, one in four boys report being bullied and how men who are depressed often go unnoticed.

Boys who get bullied should not be afraid to speak up. I find it very sad that only one in four boys report being bullied. Boys, just like girls can be bullied for their looks, personality etc… and should not feel as though talking about it is forbidden because they are a male. In society men are taught to keep their emotions inside, wear a mask and hide anything that can be seen as a weakness while girls are seen to be emotional human beings. Girls and boys are more alike than different and we should accept them for who they are as a person instead of trying to depict every little flaw we think they have.

Men often go unnoticed when they are depressed. Men who are depressed tend to become more violent, scream, and use foul language which is the opposite of how girls are when they are depressed. This point goes to show that men deal with their emotions in a different way. They choose to use vulgar language and scream because it probably stays bottled up and that is how they release their frustration. Since men are said to not show their emotions or cry in our society it plays a toll on how they react in different situations. It is society’s image of men; having to hide who they truly are to be seen as tough which makes men act out the way they do. I believe men who are depressed only act out in rage because they feel as though they are not allowed to talk about how they feel. We as a society need to change that.

In Carlos Andres Gomez’s book the part that really stood out to me was, “Sexuality is a fluid, changing spectrum of experience and impulse… Maybe when I’m seventy I’ll be gay. Or bi.” (p.79) I had never thought of sexuality like that. I always thought that you experiment as a teenager and then follow that sexuality for the rest of your life. The documentary allowed me to see otherwise. Something along the lines of, The brain changes as a result of experiences. Your sex does not define who you are supposed to like or if you truly want to be a boy or a girl. Along with what Carlos wrote in his book, I can now view sexuality as something that can keep on changing throughout life.; that it is a changing spectrum. The documentary helped me understand that when Carlos started dating his “…kinda butch, lesbian friend…”(p.80) that both their spectrums of sexuality had changed. It was an experience they needed to have so that they could be dating the person they are with now.

By: Alexandra Rose Morgan Arseneau

Someone who is inspirational does something not only for the good of themselves but for the good of others. Someone who is motivated, has goals and ambitions all while maintaining a smile and pushing through. A person who never gives up when they are faced with difficulties is someone who many could and should look up to. There are a lot of men who inspire me but in my eyes Terry Fox will always be the one who motivates me the most.

Terry Fox will forever be one of the most inspirational people to have ever lived. His name is known worldwide for his drive, devotion and of course for what he has accomplished. Terry was 18 years old when he found out he had osteogenic sarcoma. Around him Terry Fox could see how not only himself but many others were suffering from cancer and so decided to do something about it. He decided he would run to raise funds for cancer research. With his right leg being amputated he sill decided to run. Terry ran for 143 days with nothing but a positive attitude. He was extremely devoted and continued till his cancer had spread. He showed a lot of courage, devotion and he gave all of himself to help others who were suffering. Terry Fox showed to many people that it is possible to keep on going and fighting for what you believe in. To this day, over than $750 million has been raised in Terry Fox’s name to help find research for cancer. His act will never be forgotten for people all around the world still participate in the Terry Fox Run.

I will always look up to Terry for what he has accomplished is outstanding. I look for him in times I want to give up. I always tell myself if he could accomplish such greatness than so can I. He will continue to inspire me as I grow and face many new challenges.