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This educational
video, hosted by Jackson Katz, explores the impact of images of
men in unrealistic and overly aggressive roles on young males. The
video is divided into two parts. In part one, "Understanding
Violent Masculinity," Katz provides historical context for
his claim that U.S. media and culture are experiencing what he terms
a "crisis in masculinity." This crisis revolves around
the exaggerated, hyper inflated image of masculinity (the "tough
guise") that is being promoted increasingly in toys, video
games, music videos and films designed to appeal to boys and men.
Katz argues that messages equating masculinity with dominance, power
and control are pervasive in U.S. society--and that these messages
have a restrictive, negative impact on boys and men, as well as
girls and women. Easily recognized scenes and stars from media and
popular culture--Terminator, Rambo, Howard Stern, Quentin Tarantino,
Boys N the Hood, a host of hip hop stars--serve to illustrate Katz's
key points. The sheer volume of all-too-familiar clips showing violent,
muscle-bound men threatening, beating, kicking, mocking, challenging,
and shooting one another in action movies, video games, music and
sports venues underscore the message that violent masculinity has
increasingly become a cultural norm in U.S. society. In part two,
"Violent Masculinity in Action," Katz claims that the
recent rash of school shootings and other forms of violence perpetrated
by males are the tragic consequence of this social crisis in masculine
identity. He also points out examples of alternative, healthier
media images of men and masculine roles that can serve to counter
the restrictive and deadly "tough guy" role.
This
video is recommended for high school classes, college students and
adult audiences (especially men) interested in exploring the links
between media images, men's roles in society, and real life acts
of violence by men and boys.
Available in two lengths: 57 minutes (abridged version) ©1999
recommended for high school classrooms, and 82 minutes (full length
version) ©1999
Media Education Foundation
26 Center Street
Northampton, MA 01060
Phone: (800) 897-0089
Web site:
www.mediaed.org
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