Masculinity Past and Present Masculinity and what it's been defined as, has had several expectations throughout history. Masculinity has been tampered with and reshaped over generations. Different positive and negative views are what determine what Masculinity is considered today. Charlotte Temple was a novel written by Susanna Rowson, a novel written in the 18th Century. During this time we got an idea of masculinity being seen as a man with confidence, being powerful, macho, and dominant over women. In the 21st century, however, there have been many changes. Masculine men are seen as macho without the component of dominance over women. They are instead seen as non-vulnerable men who don’t shed a tear. Toxic masculinity has taken place in the 21st century and has …show more content…
In modern day, while gender roles have become more fluid, men are often encouraged to follow non-traditional paths. The evolution of a more gender fluid society has determined masculinity as a wider range of experiences and emotions. A TED talk by Justin Baldoni, “Why I’m done trying to be man enough” opens up ideas about his lifestyle while studying masculinity and explains how he has a hard time opening up to challenges about masculinity, even to his friends. The courage he needs to build to open up to his closest friends about his emotions contradicts what he’s been told about masculinity. When Baldoni finally opens up, he addresses how much better he felt knowing his friends were also struggling with similar issues. This just goes to show how much pressure men have to open up to each other, not fall out of line, and keep their view as being tough. Justin Baldoni’s Ted talk explores masculinity with the idea of changing how men