Abstract:
Recent movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp have surfaced and challenged ideas about masculinity in popular conversations. In particular, these ideas have centered around \"toxic masculinity\"-a version of masculinity that reflects stereotyped, dated, and even dangerous expectations for manhood. This notion of masculinity can be reinforced in a number of ways, especially through pop culture, where it runs the risk of becoming commonly accepted or normalized. This study evaluates the narratives of masculinity in three different novels that are marketed toward high school-aged students in the United States: Lord of the Flies; Gabi, A Girl in Pieces; and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. Using a critical literacy lens, this study considers the symbols, behaviors, expectations, and meanings given to masculinity in and through each novel and considers the implications of this analysis for adolescent readership inside and outside of schooling. The study concludes that the more contemporary novels showcase a range of masculine portrayals, including positive, affirming versions of masculinity, compared to a more singular and pessimistic one found in a novel traditionally used in schools. Thus, the study concludes that formal schooling may be an important way to address and disrupt unhealthy versions of masculinity.
摘要:
最近的运动,如#MeToo和#TimesUp已经浮出水面,并挑战了流行对话中关于男性气概的想法。特别是,这些想法围绕着“有毒的男性气质”——一种反映刻板印象的男性气质,日期,甚至对男子气概的危险期望。这种男子气概的概念可以在许多方面得到加强,尤其是通过流行文化,它有被普遍接受或正常化的风险。这项研究评估了三种不同的小说中对男性气质的叙述,这些小说是针对美国高中生的:苍蝇之王;加比,一个女孩在碎片;和亚里士多德和但丁发现宇宙的秘密。用批判性的识字镜头,这项研究考虑了符号,行为,期望,以及在每本小说中和通过每本小说赋予男性气质的含义,并考虑了这种分析对学校内外青少年读者的影响。研究得出的结论是,更多的当代小说展示了一系列男性刻画,包括积极的,肯定阳刚之气的版本,与传统上在学校使用的小说中发现的更为奇异和悲观的小说相比。因此,该研究得出的结论是,正规学校教育可能是解决和破坏不健康男性气质的重要途径。