Jackson Katz is an anti-violence educator and lecturer who has produced several videos on the connection between what society has told our children, specifically boys, what it takes to be masculine or "manly" and the adverse effects it can have on our children progressing into adulthood. This video clip from Tough Guise: Violence, Media & the Crisis in Masculinity delivers a powerful message about how the way that society and the media has shown our youth what it takes to be a "man" and how they need to put on this "guise" to be viewed as masculine.
Some questions for discussion with your students after viewing the video clip*
1. What are some benefits to boys and men of putting on the “tough guise”? When is it an effective and adaptive response, and when is it self-destructive and dangerous to others?
2. Many cultural commentators have noted that media representations of men of color (e.g. news accounts, roles in film and television, and sports) have disproportionately shown them to be aggressive and violent. What effect do these portrayals have on the gender identity formation of boys and men of color? How do these portrayals influence the way the white majority sees men of color?
Activity to do with your students after viewing the video clip*
1. The Box Exercise: Draw a box on a chalkboard. Ask students to name characteristics of a “real man”. Write
them inside the box. When the box is full, ask for themes (e.g. strength, toughness are equated with masculinity).
Then ask them to name characteristics of men who don’t measure up, and write these outside the box. When
you’ve gotten a sufficient number of words (e.g. wimp, wuss, fag), ask for themes. Then talk about how boys/men
are boxed in by these definitions, and punished if they don’t fit in.
*the questions and activity were taken from the companion website to Tough Guise, which could also be helpful for further study in the classroom:
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