Draft Formal Paper #2

Dear Special Olympics Power lifting team,


Over the years, masculinity has had a variety of depictions from time to time. There is a big culture difference of masculinity in real life and popular culture. In real life, being masculine is about being yourself and caring about your family. However, in pop culture, masculinity is about being macho, flexing to impress people, doing something reckless and dangerous, eating meat, pumping iron, etc. There is also the way masculinity is depicted in movies, like being full of muscle and having a lot of guns. I wish to say that masculinity being expressed in pop culture can become a problem if it is not addressed immediately.


The research I used for this claim is the Yes! Magazine article The Hazards of Manhood. In the article, people claim that true manhood lies in toughness, power, and competitiveness. I also read that the working man's desire to appear strong would compel them to lift more weight, continue working despite pain, and forgo safety measures. Most men claim that playing it safe will make them look weak. The article also states that the media exploits mens' bodies to instill in them the desire to prove themselves as real men. I also think that the article makes a very good point about what they say about true manhood and its problems.

The claims I wish to point out are that manhood doesn't have to be exploited. I mean, for years, men have been convinced by the media through billboard advertisements, health magazines, or even beer commercials. Men that follow these false messages tend to hop on a bandwagon without seeing who's behind the wheel. Most of those men that go on this bandwagon are usually the loud, angry and stupid. I think that men should wise up and discover their masculinity in their own way. I also feel that achieving true manhood lies within. People just need to find a way to unleash it.

The hazards of manhood can be avoided if men don't buy into what people say. They can also avoid the ads they see on T.V or on billboards. They should also avoid how manhood is depicted in movies or video games. They also should think carefully about the advertisements for weight lifting equipment or dietary supplements. Most men think that using protein shakes or muscle powder during their workouts help them bulk up the fastest. I feel that people like that are too gullible and should be smart about the choices they make in trying to prove their manhood. I hope this little letter can reach out to you and broaden your minds. Thank you.


Sincerely, Riley Patterson

Works cited: Schwalbe, Michael The Hazards of Manhood Yes! Magazine. Oct. 30th, 2012.