Overview

Rhetoric of Masculinity: Male Body Image, Media, and Gender Role Stress/Conflict lends depth and global nuance to discourse associated with the masculinity concept as it brings to bear on males' self-image, role in society, media representations of them, and the gender role stress/conflict experienced when they fail to measure up to social standards associated with what it means to be manly. Even though the concept of masculine gender role stress/conflict has received substantial scholarly attention in psychology, social learning effects of masculinity as it plays out in media warrant further study given that representations offer audiences restrictive male gender roles that may contribute to toxic masculinity. Men and boys are taught to be self-sufficient, to act tough, to be muscular, heterosexual, and to use aggression to resolve conflicts. Such contexts provide restrictive images that can result in self harm and an inflexible social milieu. Scholars and students of communication, rhetoric, and gender studies will find this book particularly interesting.

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9781793626882

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Reviews

A breakthrough book that is very significant because it reveals how the rhetoric of masculinity harms men and women in our patriarchal society. Gender role stress/conflict is real and its deleterious effects have been demonstrated through years of research. Now Dr. Pompper and her colleagues show just how pervasive gender role stress/conflict is in our culture and media. The authors take on the patriarchy, damaging stereotypes and binary gender roles, and expose the psychological damage they cause. This book will generate future research and theory building because it illuminates how patriarchal masculinity causes so much pain and suffering in our world. It's a must-read for gender scholars, researchers, and students of media and communications and the psychology of men and women. -- James M. O'Neil, Neag School of Education, University of Connecticut Pompper's Rhetoric of Masculinity: Male Body Image, Media, and Gender Role Stress/Conflict is a brilliant collection of work that synthesizes contemporary theory and research on masculinities with current social issues (e.g., #MeToo, the COVID pandemic, social media influencers) to refine, expand, and advance our understanding of the intrapersonal, interpersonal, societal, and cultural impacts on men's embodiment, well-being, and relationships. This interdisciplinary text offers much-needed comprehensive and critical views of masculinities and the socially constructed 'masculinity crisis' that will be of profound interest for all students and scholars who study gender. -- Tracy L. Tylka, Ohio State University This important volume offers an antidote to the toxic statement of 'man up' by offering studies, stories, and theories to help scholars and students 'masculinity up.' With a comprehensive overview and introduction to the subject written by editor Donnalyn Pompper, and compelling contributions by researchers and theorists from many disciplines, The Rhetoric of Masculinity shows us ways to consider this concept among humans, occupations, media, and conflicts in society today. What does culture expect from men who are athletes, disabled veterans, media creators, musicians, garbage collectors, and victims of abuse? How do we represent these varieties of people well and fairly? How can we see pandemic protestors as part of the masculinity crisis? This excellent volume gives us a masculinity map in all its complexity, beauty, and pain. -- Jacqueline Lambiase, Texas Christian University The study of maleness has evolved over the decades and must be updated within the realm of the socio-political climate we are living in today. The Rhetoric of Masculinity does just that. Its chapters present novel information that students and scholars may use to update theories and popular beliefs regarding masculinity, maleness, and how they are shaped by the media, culture, and societal norms. While an unfamiliar terrain and less researched and documented topic, the book includes a knowledgeable collection of scholars to explore the important topic. Authors do an excellent job of providing insight into how media messages impact sexuality, maleness, stereotypes, and perceptions. -- Mia Moody-Ramirez, Baylor University Donnalyn Pompper's Rhetoric of Masculinity: Male Body Image, Media, and Gender Role Stress/Conflictmasterfully situates masculinity through carefully curated studies on thought-provoking issues. -- Keonte Coleman, Middle Tennessee State University

Author Information

Donnalyn Pompper is Endowed Chair in Public Relations in the School of Journalism & Communication at the University of Oregon.

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