I came across an article that brings up the
conflict that males sometimes face in relation to their association with
masculinity and at the same time it speaks to gun violence, in particular the
recent shootings in Oregon. Actually the
article did not target just the Oregon shootings but in fact looked at “why”
these crimes are occurring at an alarming rate in the U.S. We all know that easy access to weapons and
mental illness are often discussed as leading contributors to mass shootings
but could there possibly be some other common factor? Soraya Chemaly, who is a writer for the
Huffington Post, actually came up with an interesting idea which speaks to
masculinity and the way certain males view themselves.
As we read, “Masculinity is
constructed, is built up through ideology, domination, practice, language and
other related elements” (Reeser, 51), so how does this play into Chemaly’s
article. The term she uses to describe
the desired level of masculinity relates to the Alpha male. The American Alpha male is perceived as
someone who displays outward strength due to his body structure, has sexual
prowess, is in control of his emotions, overall he is culturally the epitome of
true masculinity. He achieves this level
of masculinity by being in direct opposition to his counterpart, the Beta
male. A Beta male is someone who is
sensitive, he is overly emotional, he is too nice, too protective and not
viewed as sexy. The Beta male displays
traits that are considered more effeminate and thereby, all in all he is the
opposite of the Alpha male.
Chemaly, focuses on a fringe group of Beta
males who are now lashing out, or rebelling, against the perceptions society
has of them, and in fact of the way they view themselves within the realm of
masculinity. In so, they are blaming
women for their imagined shortcomings, particularly in the area of feeling
inadequate and less desirable than the Alpha male. A key element of masculinity is dominance
and this is often achieved through violence.
Chemaly notes this is what the fringe group of Beta males are turning
to, to achieve empowerment and control.
How better to dominate than with fear?
In using guns, which are a very masculine prop, it gives these men a
sense of male a sense of empowerment. No
one would question his authority with a gun in hand. This is exactly the manner in which this
group of males are trying to change the image that they have of themselves and
to wreaked havoc on a society that has, in their eyes, devalued them as not
being masculine enough.
In her article, Chemaly gives
considerable discussion to the fact that the majority of the mass shootings
have been carried out by white males and have taken place where there will be a
predominately number of females present.
Chemaly, Soraya. “Mass Killings in the US:
Masculinity, Masculinity, Masculinity.” Huffington Post, 5 Oct. 2015. Web. 6
Oct. 2015. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/soraya-chemaly/mass-killings-in-the-us-w_b_8234322.html>
Reeser, Todd W. Masculinities in
Theory: An Introduction. West Sussex: Wiley- Blackwell, 2010
NOTE: Not sure why I cannot see this
blog as it was originally posted on October 10th.
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