The authors’ of the article ‘the demise of guys’ starts out of by explaining how it feels to be a man in crises and how a man’s surroundings may be like. It appears they have an understanding attitude towards the issue of masculinity in crisis, and they see it as a real problem ‘Maybe he’s undermotivated in school, has emotional disturbances, doesn’t get along with others, has few real friends or no girl friends, or is in a gang. He may even be in prison’ (p.1 ll.1-6).
Beside talking about some of the leading points that can cause an issue in a man’s masculinity, they also talks about ‘record numbers’, and how it can effect a man when he is failing academically, socially or sexually.
The authors’ indicates that masculinity in crises is a serious problem, and they consider it as a society problem. They believe that the society fails to support and motivate men in inspiring directions. The article has a critical opinion towards society as contributing to the modern man’s motivation. ‘The irony is about the fact that the society is not giving the support, means or places for these young men to even be motivated or interested in aspiring to these things’ (p.1, l. 21-24). The articles also criticize the way Hollywood presents men in form of films and series. She is concern that the negative features and the way men are being represented in the society, can affect them in a negative way in future. ‘These guys aren’t interested in maintaining long-term romantic relationships, marriage, fatherhood, and being the head of their own family.’ (p.2 ll. 58-61). The authors claim that the use of online porn and gaming have a major impact to men failing to mature and to develop proper adult behavior: ‘Most of all, though, they’re burying themselves in video games and in getting off on all-pervasive online pornography.’ (p.2 ll. 82-85).
The article ‘the myth of male decline’ is written by Stephanie Coontz and published in The New York Times in 2012. The author in the article disagree the term ‘masculinity in crises’ and argues that men are not going through any crises, just a rise of women. Stephanie Coontz writes whit a sarcastic approach to those who claim, that men are in masculine crises. ‘The Rise of Women Has Turned Men Into Boys,’ and that we may even be seeing ‘The End of Men.'(p.1 ll. 1-6).
Stephanie Coontz has a negative attitude towards men through the article, and she seems very convinced that men does not experience any masculinity crises and if they are, it has nothing to do with the other sex. ‘Men’s irresponsibility and bad behavior is now a stock theme in popular culture. But there has always been a subset of men who engage in crude, coercive and exploitative behavior. What’s different today is that it’s harder for men to get away with such behavior in long-temp relationship… (p.1-2 ll. 57-64).
Stephanie Coontz considers masculinity in crises as a form of exaggeration, which she substantiates by pointing out that men are still the sex in power. She is critical when it involves the terms of income. The income is still based on the gender, and even though, it is said that more women graduate than men, but it is still the men who earns more ‘How is it, then, that men still control (‘), and continue to make more money than women who has the similar skills and education’ (p.1 ll. 13-19). The author acknowledge men’s development in sharing family duties and responsibilities, which Stephanie Coontz do not see as a sign of masculinity in crises but more as an evolution and that’s why she seems critical of those who harasses the men that are dedicated to heir families. ‘Just as women who display ‘masculine’ ambitions or behaviors on the job are often penalized, so are men who engage in traditionally female behaviors’ (p.2 ll. 90-94).
‘Why schools are failing our boys’ is an article by Jennifer Fink, published in The Washington Post in 2015. Jennifer Fink is a mother of four boys and she argues that men in masculinity crises are caused of the fact that the education system fails to honor the needs of young men. Jennifer fink agues that the school system prevents boys need of physical exercise and practical learning at the some time. She believes that the cause of men developing masculinity crises has something to do with the schools lack of physical requirement for boys and that the limits are sets on male needs. ‘The rules and restrictions of school Sit Still. Be Quiet. Do What You Are Told, Nothing More, Nothing Less’ (p.1 ll. 4-8).
Jennifer Fink is in general concerned about the society. As an example, she mentions her 8 year old boy who has been struggling in school. ‘One hundred and fifty years ago my son would have been considered a model boy. Today, more often than not, he’s considered a troublemaker’ (p.1 ll. 50-56). As last she mentioned that she shared her story, because she wanted other parents to know that it is a commend problem, and is not their son but the system that is failing. It also seems like Jennifer Finks advocates a change in the educational system that allow boys to be boys.
How does Stephanie Coontz argue for her views in text 2? Give examples from the text.
Stephanie Coontz uses direct argumentation and she is very sarcastic and ironic through the article. She clearly states like the title says ‘that male decline is a myth’ and by asking rhetorical questions she agues against men’s masculinity crises. ‘How is it, then, that men still control the most important industries (‘) and continue to make more money than women who have similar skills and education? And why do women make up only 17 percent of Congress?’ (p.1 ll. 13-20).
The reason why Stephanie Coontz uses rhetorical questions is to appeal to the ‘common sense’, that we also call logos. Logos is an argumentation form where the authors argue trough logical arguments. ‘Between 1970 and 1985, women’s share of computer and information sciences degrees rose from 14 percent to 37 percent’ (p.1 ll. 50-54).
Stephanie Coontz argues that masculinity in crises is just myth, or as she says it ‘the male decline’, but women are still overdue by men in income and positions. ‘How is it, then, that men still control the most important industries (‘) and continue to make more money than women who has the similar skills and education’ (p.1 ll. 13-19). Jennifer Connetz also refer to ethos, by using substantiated fact and statistics calculation there are supported by evidence. ‘Domestic violence rates have been halved since 1993, while rapes and sexual assaults against women have fallen by 70 percent in that time.’ (p.1 ll. 76-79). Another feature that makes Stephanie Conntz more appealing is her use of pathos, were she appeal to the readers feelings and emotions. ‘The result is many guys who would have been obnoxious husbands…’ (p.2 ll. 66-71).
The author argues that a man’s childish behavior and immaturity always has existed and has nothing to do with the modern society. In the past women was forced to accept men’s behavior because it was not normal for a women to work, and it was therefore the man who had to provide the family. Today women are more independent and emancipated and can therefore provide themselves without a man. ‘Women no longer feel compelled to put up with it and the legal system no longer condones it’ (p.2 ll. 64-66).
Stephanie Conntz also argues that it is a problem that men have to prove their masculinity and that the society holds on to the traditional male roles. She doesn’t see it as a lack of masculinity, when a man is being more responsible and involved in family obligations, and from her point of view, it is nothing to bee ashamed of. ‘Now men need to liberate themselves from the pressure to prove their masculinity. Contrary to the fears of some pundits, the ascent of women does not portend the end of men.’ (p.2 ll. 107-111).