Author Description

Taking its cue from the greater visibility of men's studies in the 1990's, this book argues that the mass media does not reflect masculinity in society so much as teach it by creating or reinforcing its images. The ideas of many books and articles of the last two decades are synthesised here to show a range of masculinities, suggesting that several aspects of masculinity are in fact ideals rather than realities. These ideals, embodied in film, television, advertising and sports coverage, create a near-impossible version of masculinity to which males are encouraged to aspire if they want to be real men. This book aims to alert readers to the processes and purpose of such media representations.