Masculine Identities : The History and Meanings of Manliness

In the classical Athens of Plato and Pericles, erotic relations between adolescents and adult men—what we now revile as pedophilia—was the marker of manliness; a clear example of how concepts of masculinity shift. Even within modern western society, there are conflicting ideals for men; they are expected to be both aggressive and unemotional in business, and sensitive and caring as a father and lover. __Masculine Identities: The History and Meanings of ManlinesS≪/i> provides a comprehensive consideration of what "being a man" has meant over time. A fascinating read for men and women alike, it examines masculine identities that emerged in the past and continue into the present, such as the warrior, the democratic man, the craftsman, the self-made man of business, as well as ethnic forms of manliness. The work concludes by examining the contemporary issues of male sexuality, same-sex identity, and the conflicts within men in the modern world.__ This Book Provides An Intriguing Look At The Long History Of The Changing Definitions Of What It Means To Be A Man, Identifying Both The Continuity And Disparity In These Ideals And Explaining The Contemporary Crisis Of Masculinity. Not All Men Are Truly Men--that Is, People Of Both Sexes Believe That Not Everyone Who Is Born Biologically Male Reaches The Ideal For Men Dictated By The Society Into Which He Is Born. Such Masculine Identities Or Concepts Of Manliness Have Existed From The Beginnings Of Human Civilization, And They Take Vastly Different Shapes Throughout History And Across Cultures And Subcultures. In The Classical Athens Of Plato And Pericles, Erotic Relations Between Adolescents And Adult Men - What We Now Revile As Pedophilia - Was The Marker Of Manliness; A Clear Example Of How Concepts Of Masculinity Shift. Even Within Modern Western Society, There Are Conflicting Ideals For Men; They Are Expected To Be Both Aggressive And Unemotional In Business, And Sensitive And Caring As A Father And Lover. Masculine Identities: The History And Meanings Of Manliness Provides A Comprehensive Consideration Of What Being A Man Has Meant Over Time. A Fascinating Read For Men And Women Alike, It Examines Masculine Identities That Emerged In The Past And Continue Into The Present, Such As The Warrior, The Democratic Man, The Craftsman, The Self-made Man Of Business, As Well As Ethnic Forms Of Manliness. The Work Concludes By Examining The Contemporary Issues Of Male Sexuality, Same-sex Identity, And The Conflicts Within Men In The Modern World.--pub. Desc. Man As Warrior -- Athens And The Emergence Of Democratic Man -- The Craftsman -- Economic Man And The Rise Of The Middle Class -- I Am A Man : African-american Masculine Identities -- Jewish-american Masculine Identities -- Same-sex Desire And Masculine Identity -- Conclusion : Masculine Identities Now. Herbert Sussman. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Cover 1 Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 Introduction: Thinking about Men 12 1. Man as Warrior 22 2. Athens and the Emergence of Democratic Man 48 3. The Craftsman 68 4. Economic Man and the Rise of the Middle Class 92 5. I Am a Man: African-American Masculine Identities 110 6. Jewish-American Masculine Identities 130 7. Same-Sex Desire and Masculine Identity 144 Conclusion: Masculine Identities Now 164 Notes 170 Glossary 178 A 178 B 178 C 179 D 180 E 180 F 180 G 180 H 181 I 182 K 182 L 182 M 182 N 183 P 183 R 185 S 185 T 186 U 186 W 186 Y 186 Bibliography 188 Index 194 A 194 B 194 C 194 D 194 E 194 F 195 G 195 H 195 I 195 J 195 K 195 M 195 N 196 O 196 P 196 R 196 S 196 T 196 U 196 V 196 W 196 Sussman (English, Northeastern U.) surveys the varied meanings of "being a man" at different times and places in history and the masculine identities that have emerged from the past, focusing on the warrior, the democratic man, the craftsman, the self-made man of business, and ethnic forms of manliness in African American and Jewish-American communities, as well as contemporary issues of male sexuality and same-sex identity. He also considers the sex/gender distinction, essenitalism versus social construction, and the two-sex model and masculinity. A glossary and bibliography are provided. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)