masculinity
Sign in to savethumb|In Roman mythology, Mars (mythology)|Mars was the god of war, an activity associated with masculinity. His female counterpart was [[Minerva.]]
AI overview
Masculinity refers to the qualities, characteristics, and roles that are culturally associated with being male, such as those linked to Mars, the Roman god of war. It matters because these associations shape how societies understand gender and influence expectations for how men behave and are treated.
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Article
34 sectionsContents
- Overview
- History
- <span class="anchor" id="Ancient"></span> Antiquity
- Medieval and Victorian eras
- <span class="anchor" id="Modern times"></span> 20th century to present
- Development
- Nature versus nurture
- Social construction of masculinity
- Gay and lesbian people
- Hegemonic masculinity
- Precarious manhood
- In intersex people
- In transgender people
- In women
- Health
- Criticism
- Mental health and masculinity
- Masculinity and eating disorders
- <span class="anchor" id="Masculine gender role stress"></span> Gender-role stress
- <span class="anchor" id="In crisis"></span><span class="anchor" id="Notion of "masculinity in crisis""></span> Masculinity in crisis
- East Asian cultures
- East African cultures
- In the Global South
- Westernized influence in the media
- Visual portrayals in fashion
- Effects on youth
- Fatherhood
- Efforts toward gender equality
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- Contemporary
- Historical
- External links
thumb|In Roman mythology, Mars (mythology)|Mars was the god of war, an activity associated with masculinity. His female counterpart was [[Minerva.]]
Masculinity (also called manhood or manliness) is a set of attributes, behaviors, and roles generally associated with men and boys. Masculinity can be theoretically understood as socially constructed, and there is also evidence that some behaviors considered masculine are influenced by both cultural factors and biological factors. To what extent masculinity is biologically or socially influenced is subject to debate. It is distinct from the definition of the biological male sex, as anyone can exhibit masculine traits. Standards of masculinity vary across different cultures and historical periods. In Western cultures, its meaning is traditionally drawn from being contrasted with femininity.