Recent Crisis of Masculinity - Report Example

CRISIS OF MASCULINITY By Location Crisis of Masculinity Introduction Recent accounts of a crisis of masculinity should matter, despite the fact that male privileges have permeated all aspects of society. This report discusses the various elements that are associated with gender preference across different ethnic groups. It also provides insight to the conceptuality of gender as a topic of discussion permeating the essence of masculinity. The report also provides an understanding of how theorizing on gender has overlapped the common management theory applied by organizations across the globe. This will also help in understanding the different ways in which theorization of gender diverges from mainstream management theories. The report will also focus on the concept of equality and the measure being taken in order to implement equal opportunities. Through an effectively written report, it is possible that this writing will provide a critical analysis of the core question. The report revolves around the ideologies supporting whether the recent incidences of an attack on masculinity really matters. By identifying the key issues involved and comparing them with the known fact that masculinity is given precedence over the other gender, then it is possible to lay this matter to rest. The report also provides a different understanding of the main topic by occasionally providing insight on the alternate. This involves providing proof of whether it might also not matter if masculinity is under attack. Gender as a Conceptual Category Gender has provided a boundary since time in memorial in the different aspects of society. In the past, there were social roles that were seen to fit specific gender. This fits with the theory of essentialism. Essentialism states that any group of elements in the universe can be grouped in one way or another. According to Mookerjea-Leonard (2011, p. 45), individuals such as Plato and Aristotle have been found to support this theory. They have also provided the basis to which gender has been categorized. For instance, men are found to be tasked with doing menial jobs. This goes to say that women are not particularly capable of performing the jobs given to them if physical. Women, on the other hand, are provided with domestic roles in comparison to their male counterparts. However, it is important to note that a change in ideological beliefs within the social elites has trickled down to the society. More people are beginning to believe that women are capable of performing the tasks that would normally be left to men. Such tasks include leadership, politics, menial jobs, and physically intensive tasks. On the other hand, society is gradually accepting that men too can help in performing feminine oriented tasks. Such tasks would include doing laundry, parenting, and cooking. However, the recent past has seen a rise in individuals who look down on men because they can simply do what men previously did. McDowell (2014 p. 33) denotes that this has resulted in a crisis of masculinity as young boy and men are being brought up into a world that does not appreciate their masculinity. The individual is the smallest unit of a given society. The next most crucial unit of a society is the family. The degeneration of the role played by masculinity in our society is slowly providing the family a lesser role in comparison to the individual. For a society to function effectively, it is essential for the different gender in a family to co-exist. This involves men respecting the role of the women in their lives and vice versa. However, when the different genders are at loggerheads, it may result in unnecessary conflict. This in turn results in a society that has continual unrest. This is often represented in the different forms of violence between the genders (Lyon 2008, p. 170). Therefore, it would be prudent to understand the complexities involved with an aim of providing an amicable solution. Links with Conceptual Category of Ethnicity Ethnicity and masculinity, with respect to gender, share more than one link. Different ethnic groups have different roles for the different genders. One of the said links is the relationship between masculinity and hostility between the genders in different ethnic groups. Education has provided women in ethnic groups with a traditional understanding of masculinity the necessary knowledge to shift their ideologies. For instance, ethnic groups in Africa have been found to have women who prefer to have office jobs instead of staying home and raising their children. Further research by Khan and his colleagues shows that this in turn has resulted in most women delaying settling down in a family unit. However, the main worry here is the violence meted against such women once they settle into their families. This is a desperate cry for the men to have their masculinity restored. While it is deplorable to have a man direct any form of violence against a woman, the reality on the ground is that the shift of societal beliefs in masculinity may have a negative effect on its women. This is particularly identifiable from the fact that the women are no longer feeling safe in the very hands of men who are supposed to protect them. Therefore, this points to the fact that the crisis of male masculinity really does matter. When women are attacked by their men, the children will also suffer. When children suffer, this introduces a myriad of challenges for a generation that is at risk of being lost. Addressing the issues associated with masculinity and gender based violence will go a long way in ensuring that the original plans for empowering women does not result in a counterproductive effect. In the developed world, there are different ethnic groups represented in any one given society. This provides for a situation where people of different ethnic groups will mingle on any given day (Butter 2007, p. 350). Therefore, it is possible for occasional clashing between the different genders. For instance, a woman originating from the UK interacting on a personal level with a man from Asia may have difficulties in the beginning. This is because the two have different views on masculinity and femininity. There are two choices for the case scenario pointed out. They may choose to separate and move their different ways or they may choose to circumvent their differences and find a way to work through their problems. However, the base problem here is the undervaluing of masculinity and/or femininity. Theorizing on Gender and Organizations VS Management Theory Organizations have found that addressing gender is essential in ensuring efficient management. However, theorizing on gender has been found to overlap the different management theories employed. It has also been found to diverge from management theories. Some of the common management theories employed by organizations include the contingency, systems, and chaos theory. Günay-Erkol highlights that while these theories are originally implemented with the aim of improving productivity among employees, they are sometimes found to work against the core goals of the said organization. This problem is further compounded by the fact that most management uses a contingency of theories when implementing the management theories identified. The result of the development of the said issues is less productivity among employees and/or increased hostility among employees. This creates a need for tackling the gender issues that arise from implementing the different theories. The contingency theory states that the actions selected by a given manager should only take into consideration the current situation. In essence, this means that the manager will not factor in any other considerations while making a decision. When one considers gender in such a situation, it is obvious to see why the different genders may find it difficult to go along with a decision based on such a strategy (Heinrich 2014, p. 240). For the purposes of this report, the focus will be on the effects of such strategies on masculinity. For instance, a man that works in a department dominated by women may face discrimination in one way or another. However, management may choose to oversee any form of discrimination since the obvious that a man can handle himself in the face of a woman. However, in the situation mentioned, the man has a right to have his complains investigated. Another common management theory that often overlaps with the theorization of gender is the systems theory. This theory states that the individual and the system are essential in the achievement of the organization’s goals. However, when you factor in the gender issues mentioned in this report, one can see the common issues that could be faced in the attainment of the said goals. The different patterns involved in developing firm decisions do not involve the provision of necessary solutions to tackle gender-based issues (Khan et al. 2008, p. 38). This is an opening for the continued perpetration of discrimination of men and women in the workplace. In turn, this will negatively affect the systems that are meant to ensure that the organization achieves its core aims and goals. Approach Taken to Equality The attainment of equality is the true means of addressing issues affecting genders across the globe. However, in order to achieve this it is important to focus on the major steps involved in providing equality among the different people involved. One of the main steps is to train the society and personnel in the given organizations. Discrimination is the source of all the problems faced by the aggrieved parties in the society (Ochsner 2012, p. 97). Therefore, training and teaching people on the importance of eliminating discrimination will minimize of the crisis experienced by both men and women. It is also important to provide employees with efficient means of childcare at the offices. Both men and women are equally involved in parenting. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the parent can have access to their child, which in turn improves their efficiency. Highlighting both successful women and men will ensure that discrimination is limited. It will also foster quality competition among those involved in the day-to-day implementation of organizational tasks. The organization may also publicize efforts to promote equality. The above ensures that the staffs of the organization, as well as the organization’s partners, are aware of the said measures. This promotes a sense of equality among all those that are involved. It also ensures that the problems that may result from the crisis of masculinity are promptly addressed without unnecessary misunderstanding and reduced productivity (Ilinykh 2013, p. 73). Implementing policies may also help in ensuring that goals are achieved by the said organization. However, for the purposes of this report the main goal is to identify means of achieving equality. One of the policies that may be included is the compensation of both men and women equally. This is especially the case if they are performing similar jobs. More women are being incorporated into management. Some of these women have been found to favour women in comparison to men. However, such a policy would limit chances that a man may be discriminated against. The organization may also provide a policy that ensures that employees balance their work life with their personal life. This means that management should provide employees with sufficient motivation to follow their dreams to further their education. A policy that also forbids sexual harassment would also help in achieving equality. Conclusion This report has found that the crisis of masculinity is important. Addressing this issue before it goes out of hand may very well determine the future of currently young people. Gender as a concept points to the fact that masculinity and femininity are both important. However, the shifts in ideologies among the elite in our societies have influenced the way masculinity is understood. This is mostly observed in certain ethnic groups in comparison to others. However, the world is quickly becoming a global village. Therefore, the issues associated with gender, masculinity, and ethnicity, are quickly becoming global. The crisis of masculinity is also evident in businesses and organizations. This is most evident where theorizing about gender and organizations overlaps and sometimes diverges from common management theories. This has thus resulted in a need for the attainment of equality. This can only be achieved by implementing practical measures that will reduce the effects of this crisis. Bibliography Butter, S 2007, The Grotesque as a Comic Strategy of Subversion. Mapping the Crisis of Masculinity in Patrick McGraths The Grotesque, Orbis Litterarum, 62, 4, pp. 336-352, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 1 February 2015. Günay-Erkol, Ç 2012, Post-imperial crises and liminal masculinity in Orhan Kemal’s My Father’s House–The Idle Years, Journal Of European Studies, 42, 3, pp. 245-260, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 1 February 2015. 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McDowell, L 2014, The Sexual Contract, Youth, Masculinity and the Uncertain Promise of Waged Work in Austerity Britain,Australian Feminist Studies, 29, 79, pp. 31-49, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 1 February 2015. Mookerjea-Leonard, D 2011, Masculinity in Crisis, Social Text, 29, 3_108, pp. 31-49, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 1 February 2015. Ochsner, A 2012, Fictions of uncertainty: The crisis of masculinity and fatherhood in ‘ladlit’, European Journal Of Cultural Studies, 15, 1, pp. 89-104, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 1 February 2015. Read More