Messages Men Hear: Constructing Masculinities

by Ian M. Harris

This text is based on over 10 years research with 500 men from different classes, backgrounds, races and ethnic groups. It constructs a theory of masculinity by exploring masculine expectancies, how men form their gender identities and how those identities influence their behaviour.

228 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 1995

Reviews

[Kamakana · Rating 4 out of 5]

301118: opposite shelves at the u of feminist studies is a much smaller section of male studies. i looked at several, some history, sociology, cultural, and this one that is based on analysis of surveys. it is from 1980 and society (here mostly white, middle class, american) has changed greatly. i remember the 80s. i am male, upper-middle class, pass as white, not visibly or culturally different, and i grew up unconsciously as a male, receiving messages from my parents, not particularly following any of harris' categories as standard bearer, nature lover, boss, worker, lover, stoic, adventurer... but these message did exist did effect me did annoy me- but my conviction as artist overwhelmed all of them. i thought to be different, i am not so too much. interesting book makes me think, recall, analyze my becoming man. i wonder how it works for boy 38 years later (now)...