Sports Toxic Masculinity - Publications Turned Men Toxic (2)
The Victorian era examined masculinity in a lot of ways within the media, strength and athleticism were the main characteristics that made the decision if a man was masculine or not. These traits were found from an early age and decided a boys fate fast. School boys would be considered masculine or not simply by playing games in the school yard.
The new/current media in this era were considered publications/books. Authors Charles Kingsley and Thomas Hughes, wrote about the idea of Christian masculinity. This was a combination of being masculine and religious and this was considered to be the ideal man. Masculinity was also a main subject in poems by the British author Rudyard Kipling. He displayed in one of his poems how a man should be physically strong and be able fight like a warrior in sport. Also, a common theme from these publications was that men did not share or display their emotions. All they were meant to do was provide for their families, fight and pray.
Sport was a way that men could take out their emotions without sharing them to the public. Then, if they were victorious in that sport, they would be considered masculine and the ideal man around the town.
Photo Credits: Getty Images
A main focus for masculinity was also being mentally strong. Normally, we think of physical characteristics when we think of a "man" but, the mentality of a man was also considered in the media. Being said, during a wrestling match between two men, if one looked defeated mentally, it was shown that they were not strong enough to be a warrior and fight for their land.
It was implied that a true man can keep their head during hard times physically and mentally. Also, that when something is hard, men do not cry and they carry on without any emotion except anger or maybe rage while participating in sport. The thought that a man could have emotions and feel, was non-existent in the media to cultivate fear in men to not share how they feel with others.
This set of beliefs has led a lot of men to suicide because they were unable to share how they felt in fear that they would not be masculine. This sounds a lot like modern times as well, though there have been some modifications, we still use phrases like "men don't cry" today.
Photo Credits: Wellcome Images
Authors made sure to include all of this in their publications to keep the toxic masculinity strong in their communities. This is so strong warriors will want to remain strong in fear of being ridiculed by others who have read the publications as well. Imagine not being able to be yourself because of what the media tells you.
Oh wait, that is the same world we live in today, just with a different media platform.