The Media`s Influence of Socially Constructed Masculinities on Young Men

Abstract

Gender is no longer seen as being rigid or binary, but rather seen as fluid, existing on a spectrum. This qualitative research study has argued that although there are mainly ideal hegemonic masculinities that are portrayed by varying media sources, other non-hegemonic and marginalised masculine identities are now being portrayed more in the media. These portrayals of masculinity through media sources could have a beneficial or detrimental influence on young men`s masculinity. Young men would want to understand how and why different media sources influence one`s perceptions and realisations of masculinity. Questions about one`s understanding of masculinity and the media`s portrayals of masculinity were asked in semi-structured interviews to investigate the research problem. These semi-structured interviews allowed the researcher to gain an in-depth understanding of what was shared by the participants and the opportunity to ask further relevant questions. The study`s findings suggested that social media and advertisements were the most influential media sources that influenced young men`s masculinity. Additionally, there are many portrayals of harmful and toxic masculinities in the media. Furthermore, that although there is an overwhelming amount of hegemonic masculinities portrayals, there are, however, there are more portrayals of nonhegemonic and marginalised masculinities in the media nowadays.