The Cultural Myth of Masculinity - by Chris Blazina (Hardcover)

About the Book

This volume shows how masculinity is a socially constructed entity with a definition that has evolved over time. Masculine icons/heroes and methods of male socialization allow for contextual examination of specific time periods, which is necessary to understand the concept of Western masculinity. The volume presents two masculinities, representing the aristocracy and the warrior class notions of how to be a man, that have vied for dominance throughout most of Western culture.

Book Synopsis

This volume shows how masculinity is a socially constructed entity with a definition that has evolved over time. Masculine icons/heroes and methods of male socialization allow for contextual examination of specific time periods, which is necessary to understand the concept of Western masculinity. The volume presents two masculinities, representing the aristocracy and the warrior class notions of how to be a man, that have vied for dominance throughout most of Western culture.

Review Quotes

"Blazina's synthesis on the evolution of masculinity in Western cultures is brilliant and timely. Clearly, this is a 'breakthrough book' that deepens our understanding of men in the past and the present."-James M. O'Neil, Ph.D. Professor of Family Studies, University of Connecticut

"This book takes readers on an engaging journey across centuries and continents--boldly tracking the roots of Western conceptions of masculinity. Blazina casts a wide net and delivers a thoughtful analysis of this critical yet illusive concept. I enthusiastically recommend this book!"-Glenn E. Good, Associate Professor, Department of Educational & Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri-Columbia

"Using a holistic approach based on a historical and contextual analysis of myth and social structure in Western societies, Blazina challenges the idea that 'masculinity' is a given, a constant, a universal set of behaviors that vary not over time or by culture, and shows how ideals of masculinity evolve. This book is a must read for any serious student of gender."-Ronald F. Levant, Ed.D., A.B.P.P. Co-Editor, A New Psychology of Men

?[a]n important contribution to the confrontation of ideas of masculinity, manhood and maleness that most of us are using on ourselves and others.?-Everyman

"Ýa¨n important contribution to the confrontation of ideas of masculinity, manhood and maleness that most of us are using on ourselves and others."-Everyman

"[a]n important contribution to the confrontation of ideas of masculinity, manhood and maleness that most of us are using on ourselves and others."-Everyman

About the Author

CHRIS BLAZINA is Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Houston.