Culture is defined as the shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, and affective understanding that are learned through a process of socialization. Norms are beliefs, behaviors, and rules both spoken and unspoken that we hold to be important in our culture. We do things without question because we have been socialized to do so. The gender role is often played in our society. It is generally defined as a set of behaviors, attitudes and self-presentation that society has assigned for the “common man”. This includes norms for behavior, which can be referred to as “the rules of masculinity”. The “common man” in society is expected to act a certain way, have a certain attitude, look a certain way, and present oneself due to norms set up by our culture amongst other “rules”. As I’ve observed in the society we live in, I noticed that men are always expected to fulfill the “rules of masculinity” that have …show more content…
Masculinities and religion can be understood in a historical and cultural way. There is a long tradition of male dominance in various religions. Christianity for example, is the dominant religion of the United States. In the biblical story, women were created from the rib of a man, to be under his shoulder and protected by him. The images and symbol that God has implied has constructed the male gender identity and men’s position in gender relations, and in relation to social, cultural and political views. The masculinity of Jesus Christ has been constructed through many early Christian writings and practices. Society had made Jesus Christ the male savior almost automatically reinforcing male dominance amongst the rest of the male population. Society has made God the almighty man of the Earth. Passing down these perceptions of God gives society a reason to look at any man in the same way. Giving men the upper hand to be the sole provider, the sole protector and so