The Role of Men: Tough Guise

Gender role expectations and stereotypes do not exist only for women. In his documentary "Tough Guise," Jackson Katz attempts to raise public consciousness regarding masculinity stereotypes that exist in modern American culture. 

Katz makes the argument that young men are expected to fit into a very narrow box - tough, strong, powerful, aggressive. The insults hurled at men who do not conform to those stereotypes, words like wimp, fag, and sissy, are used to keep men in that narrow box. They are limited by the cultural expectations of our society. Serious and often dangerous implications of these limitations can follow - murder, assault, and other forms of violent behavior. 

So what does this mean for American boys? What can counselors do to help with what seems to be such a systemic problem, engrained deep into the fabric of our society?  

Counselors can apply consciousness raising in their practice by creating small, leaderless groups where members can examine how oppression and gender stereotyping leads to dysfunction and disempowerment in their own lives. Feminist therapy does not deal only with women. Men should not only be included in this therapy but should also be encouraged to express their own gender role restraints and limitations, as their voices are of great importance as well.