Drawing attention to gender issues and gender conditioning is crucial as “gender is one of the central organising principles around which social life revolves.” (Baker 4) Boudet et al. suggest that gender norms even rest upon other social norms which organise societies and community life. Besides, it can be said that gender is a component of a persons’ identity, along with other components like age, social class, or religion.
In Robert Webb’s autobiography How Not to Be a Boy, gender is the main topic. Webb particularly draws attention to the gender conditioning of men and describes what it takes to be a man. Growing up in the 1970s, he shares his experiences of gender norms, roles, and attitudes from early childhood to adulthood. Webb himself has never been good at being a boy or man, as the title suggests. In How Not to Be a Boy, Webb addresses gender issues such as not fitting one’s gender role, which have influenced his own life and identity, and gives a clear message that addressing the gender conditioning of men will improve life for all.
He emphasises that gender equality can only be achieved if we realise that men or boys are gendered, too, and are unavoidably involved in gender issues. In this paper, the gender conditioning of men is investigated. First, a theoretical framework is presented, which includes definitions of gender and explanations of how gender has developed, in the last decades. Then, gender in Webb’s autobiography is analysed by drawing on examples from the book, and finally, there is a summary of the main findings.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Theoretical Framework
3 Presentation of Gender in Webb
4 Conclusion
Research Objective and Topics
This paper investigates the gender conditioning of men by analyzing Robert Webb's autobiography, How Not to Be a Boy. It explores how societal expectations of masculinity influence male identity, personal development, and emotional well-being from childhood to adulthood.
- The construction of gender norms and masculinity.
- The impact of traditional gender roles on self-confidence and mental health.
- Individual struggles with societal expectations regarding sexuality and behavior.
- The necessity of including men in the discourse on gender equality.
- The transition from unconscious adoption of gender roles to conscious reflection.
Excerpt from the Book
Presentation of Gender in Webb
Webb presents gender issues in various ways. He shows what it means for a boy to be encouraged to behave in ways befitting his gender, and how he struggles with the role of the ‘man’ from childhood until adulthood.
What becomes apparent right from the beginning is that the book is divided into two acts. The headings of each act give a clear overview of how boys or men are expected to behave. Whereas the headings of act one focus on how boys should behave or be like, the headings of act two focus on how men should be or behave to befit their gender. Examples of act one are “boys aren’t shy”, “boys love sport”, or “boys don’t cry”. Similarly, headings of act two are “men don’t need therapy”, “men understand women”, or “men are good at directions”. Thus, Webb not only writes about him struggling with the role of being a boy, but also his problems as a man. In fact, the headings show that it has taken him from childhood until adulthood to become aware of the fact that the gender roles and norms he has experienced while growing up are wrong.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the prevalence of gender inequality and establishes the significance of analyzing the gender conditioning of men, specifically within the context of Robert Webb's autobiography.
2 Theoretical Framework: This section defines key concepts such as gender, sex, and masculinity, while discussing shifts in social norms and the historical development of gender roles in society.
3 Presentation of Gender in Webb: This chapter analyzes how Webb describes his personal experiences with gender conditioning, his struggles with traditional masculinity, and the negative impacts these norms had on his life.
4 Conclusion: The concluding chapter summarizes the main findings, emphasizing the importance of challenging traditional gender norms and the necessity of individual and societal change to achieve true gender equality.
Keywords
Gender conditioning, Masculinity, Gender identity, Robert Webb, How Not to Be a Boy, Gender roles, Patriarchy, Feminism, Emotional repression, Social norms, Gender inequality, Self-confidence, Mental health, Men's studies, Sexuality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper examines how men are conditioned by society to adhere to specific gender norms, using Robert Webb’s memoir as a primary case study.
What are the central themes discussed in the research?
Key themes include the social construction of masculinity, the negative consequences of emotional repression in men, and the evolution of gender roles in modern society.
What is the main research question of this study?
The study investigates how the gender conditioning of men is portrayed in Webb's work and how these internalized norms affect his personal life, identity, and mental health.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The research is a qualitative analysis utilizing a theoretical framework based on sociologists and gender theorists, applied to the autobiographical text of Robert Webb.
What is covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body presents a theoretical foundation of gender and masculinity, followed by a detailed analysis of how Webb’s life experiences illustrate the restrictive nature of traditional male gender roles.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Relevant keywords include gender conditioning, masculinity, gender identity, social norms, emotional repression, and gender inequality.
How does Webb’s autobiography challenge the concept of the 'breadwinner' model?
Webb highlights the personal and social crisis that arises when traditional masculine roles, such as being the sole provider, are eroded by societal and economic changes.
What role does the 'The Trick' play in Webb's narrative?
'The Trick' is a family code-word Webb uses to describe the artificial nature of gender roles and the societal pressure to conform to different expectations based on sex.
- Quote paper
- Silvia Dreiling (Author), 2018, Gender Conditioning in Webb’s "How Not to Be a Boy", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/496843
