Socialization

                                                                     A Call to Men

                Tony Porter is a role model to many men and kids. He talks about this man card called the “Man Box”, that men should follow this so that they won’t look weak in front women or even other men. Tony brings up a story of his brother dying as a teenager. The funeral was two hours away from where they lived. On the way back, the limo stopped at a rest stop so everyone could relieve themselves for the long ride back. Tony and his father stayed in the limo, and as soon as all the women got out the limo, his father started to cry. The thing tony didn't understand was that his father was apologizing to him over and over again and giving him props “saying good things” because tony was not crying. Later on Tony realized that his father was appoligizing because he broke that man box and showed emotions.

                Tony Porter goes on saying that the “Man Box” is more important than anything in a man’s life. Tony explains that “The Collective Socialization of Men” is brought together by less value, property, and objectification. And all of these things add up to violence against women. He tells us that it is OK to not be dominant, it is OK to have feelings and emotions, it is OK to promote equality. That a man’s liberation's are tied to a women’s liberation. Tony Porter tells us another story that he asks a nine year old boy “What would it feel like not having this Man Box”. And surprisingly the boy told him he would be free.

                                                                    Killing Us Softly

                This video was very touching, and opened my views towards advertisement a lot more. I never knew that advertisements used women or even exploit them to sell products. The video opens up talking about birth control Ovulen 21 with a phrase saying “Works the way women thinks by weekdays not cycle days”. Jean Kilbourne goes on talking about ads are everywhere, and advertising is the foundation of mass media. She explains that advertisement tells us who we are and who we should be. Advertisement is mostly about women and their good looks. There has to be an ideal image, and women would do anything to have this image.

                Women in ads are often white, thin, and good looking. But women of color are often shown in ads as animals who wear animal clothes and make-up. As the video goes on, the presenter explains that women bodies are dismembered in ads just to sell products. The most focus is on the women’s breasts, that it can be used to sell anything. The video tells us that if men had to show themselves as women do then what would they wear/show. One example shown was the “Wonder Jock”, the strap for a bulge you have always wanted. This ad exploits men, but it was to show how men would react to it, and see what women go through. In ads, the body language you see in women is mostly passive and vulnerable. Most ads also show women as gold diggers which is very offensive to women. Another example shown was men looking down on women as the dominant race. But in racial ads, the women are looking down on the colored men. It is all about “Power”, the presenter describes. This video is an eye opener to many people who don’t pay attention to ads or don’t realize the negativity of ads.

                These two videos relates back to chapter 6 on Socialization. As young kids we learn the basics on how to act and show you feelings. Boys are thought to act tough and show no emotions, but girls are thought to show emotions and be beautiful. The video”A Call to Men” explains how men/boys should act. And how even society can’t really change them because they believe so much in this “Man Box”. In the second video “Killing us Softly” Jean Kilbourne talks about how girls from very young age are exposed to advertisements that teach them that they have to be pretty, and have to meet those expectations that a man want. Many of the examples she show in the video has to do with exploitation of women and how they “dismantle” there body to fit this ideal image. These ads can be referred to as agents of socialization which are people or groups who teach us about our culture.

                

                 The Retro Wife by Lisa Miller explains a story about a girl who wants to be a CIA agent at the age of 16. She went to college and had to work at bars and sling burgers to earn some money. As she got older she got married and had two kids. Both her and her husband was working, and she felt that every household should have one caretaker. She argues that girls play with dolls as kids are thought from the get-go on how to raise children when they grow up. Many girls/women now-a-days doesn’t stay how to take care of the kids, mostly they send them today care and go to work. Some believe this is a good thing because the kids get to socialize with other kids, but in reality kids need their parent more. Also women are as busy as men are and can’t cook, clean, or do dailys house chores as they use to. My opinion on this is that its a good idea that women work because they can help pay bills and go out to explore the world. But it’s somewhat still there responsibility to cook for a man. I honestly think a man should learn how to cook, so he can treat his wife as well. It goes both ways in the society we live in today. 

This is a picture of Travis Pastrana and Jolene Van Vugt who are apart of Nitro Circus. Dangerous sports is not all about dominant men trying crazy stunts. Jolene is a motocross girl, a bmx pro, and skateboard champ, who lives life with no boundaries. Men love to do crazy stuff and like to show off in front of girls. But if guys watch Jolene do her stunts they would respect her just like they would respect other men. Jolene is a great example to show that women c an do things men can, its just hard work and effort that need to be put into doing these things.