What The Sigma?
story by Gilberto Martinez-Camacho, photos by Keaton Weyers, design by Maddie Landon
Masculinity is at a crossroads. Torn between outdated ideas of dominance and a growing call for empathy, young men are navigating a complex landscape of expectations. PULSE seeks to explore that tension, contrasting traditional norms with the evolving views of students and examining how this shift impacts relationships, mental health and the very definition of manhood.
Defining Masculinity
Defining masculinity is a complex task. Mariel Barnes, an assistant professor of public affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, acknowledges the difficulty in providing a fixed definition. "That's a tough question, and one I actually haven't thought of. Probably because I also haven't really given much thought to femininity either," Barnes says, highlighting the interconnectedness of gender concepts. "I think we should do away with traditional gender roles. I don't think they help anyone. I think they are restrictive and force people to conform," Barnes states. This perspective sets the stage for exploring the limitations of traditional masculinity and the potential for a more fluid understanding of gender.
Javi Garcia Sanchez, director of equity and multicultural affairs at the associated students of Central Washington University, offers another perspective. "Masculinity... from what I've come to understand, is something that we all kind of do," Garcia Sanchez says. "Overall, understanding that gender is almost just a performance for the most part, with masculinity and femininity intertwined." Garcia Sanchez notes that masculinity is often seen as "more respected" in society, a notion they critique.
Tradition vs. Modernity: A Clash of Ideals
Traditional masculinity often conjures images of rigid gender roles: the strong, silent provider while women occupy domestic roles. Noel Trujillo-Garcia, a CWU student, recalls these dynamics from his upbringing. "I grew up in a Mexican family, and although I'm first generation, I've watched my dad and his relationship with my mom. I've also seen the other men in my family and I've heard a lot of stories of how it was back then in Mexico,” says Trujillo-Garcia. “To me, traditional is the dad goes to work. The man goes to work while the mom is at home, taking care of the kids and making food, making sure everything is clean."
This traditional model, while familiar to many, has faced criticism for causing inequality and limiting emotional expression. The American Psychological Association notes in its guidelines for psychological practice with boys and men, traditional masculinity is marked by stoicism, competitiveness, dominance and the avoidance of vulnerability.
Garcia Sanchez describes traditional masculinity similarly, emphasizing traits like strength, being the head of the household, the breadwinner and suppressing emotions. "That's just kind of what was expected," Garcia Sanchez explains. "Straying from masculinity, especially for men, was essentially a no-no because of the potential for humiliation… or the idea that they're not man enough if they didn't perform masculinity."
Newer ideas of masculinity are challenging these limits. According to a report by Promundo, an organization that works to promote gender equality, modern masculinity embraces traits like emotional intelligence, healthy relationships and a rejection of violence. Trujillo-Garcia hopes that his generation is moving toward a more equal model. "I want to believe that it's us, you know, the next generation," Trujillo-Garcia says. "We're taking everything that we've experienced in life, the examples that we've had, and I want to believe that we're improving and moving to something that's more fair for both the men and the women."
This shift however, isn't universally embraced. Barnes notes that while there's increased freedom in gender roles, some groups advocate for a return to "neo-masculinity," seeking a resurgence of traditional power structures. "They want to go back to those traditional gender roles where men are in charge. They are breadwinners. They are successful,” says Barnes. “How many women you sleep with determines how masculine and successful you are. They want women to stay at home, care for children, look after the house and have a drink ready when they come in the door." This highlights the ongoing tension between progressive and regressive forces in shaping the narrative around masculinity.
Garcia Sanchez adds to this, noting the emergence of "mixed masculinities," where men incorporate feminine elements. "For example, if a guy is wearing pearls but still partaking in a lot of sports or something like that, that's a type of masculinity," Garcia Sanchez says. "It's definitely become more accepted that men can do more feminine things and that's where the mixed masculinity comes from. However, it's still not fully allowed. If anything, it's been in this weird middle area where they can do both, but only as long as masculinity is always present, then it's okay."
"Be a Man": Changing the Meaning
The phrase "be a man" often makes people think of men who are tough and hide their feelings. Trujillo-Garcia says this was common when he was growing up. "Mexican men have a lot of pride and are very strong. But they also don't acknowledge a lot of things that relate to mental health and emotional health." But his view has changed. "To me, to be a man has a lot to do with accepting what you know, what you do wrong, acknowledging other people's feelings and being willing to have tough conversations," Trujillo-Garcia says. This shows a move toward valuing emotional intelligence, empathy and open communication as key parts of being a man.
Trujillo-Garcia remembers a moment in high school that changed how he saw masculinity: when he confronted his father. "To me, the biggest moment I had where I felt like I was turning into a man… my dad was wild, he was not being the best partner and I confronted him. I told him... 'Hey, what you're doing is not right. I don't know if you care about us or not, but we're all being affected. And if that doesn't mean anything to you, then let us know, because we are not going to pretend like everything is fine.' I felt really strong in that moment because I knew this [was] something that my mom would not feel comfortable enough to do." This experience highlights the difference between adhering to harmful traditions and demonstrating true strength.
Barnes supports this shift away from restrictive norms. "Traditional masculinity, I think, is very restrictive; men can't show their emotions, which is not healthy, [this] probably contributes to mental health problems that men experience," Barnes says, drawing a clear link between traditional masculinity and negative outcomes. She also emphasizes that these restrictions aren't limited to men, as women also face limitations imposed by rigid gender roles. "At the same time, I think that feminine roles are also restricted. We often see people saying, 'women are so emotional and can't make decisions’ and that's not true. Also that 'women are not capable of doing math and being in STEM fields,’ which is also very restrictive. The more we break down those ideas, the better our society will be.”
Garcia Sanchez offers a gender studies perspective on masculinity, stating, "masculinity does introduce those strong active attributes... like being able to lead and be proactive." However, he also points out the problematic side of this, noting that these traits are often exclusively associated with men, creating a double standard where women are criticized for exhibiting the same qualities. "In a way, if masculinity wasn't framed as being only for certain people and certain men... it would be a good concept because it's showing that these are good traits," Garcia Sanchez explains. "[But,] because it's almost a comparison to femininity, it's also bad in that sense, just because it makes femininity seem like, 'oh, you don't want to have that trait. You don't want to show feminine traits.'"
The "Manosphere" and Harmful Masculinity
While progress is happening, the rise of the "manosphere" presents a challenge. The manosphere is a collection of online communities where some men promote ideas that are hostile to women and reinforce harmful stereotypes about masculinity. According to a report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate, the manosphere includes online groups that spread hatred against women and argue that men should rule over them. Barnes provides a detailed definition of the manosphere. "It is a network of websites, blogs, social media and online platforms that are united around this idea that men are oppressed in modern day society and the source of that oppression is women, feminism and gender equality." She further elaborates on the central ideology of "gynocracy" within these groups, the belief that women hold dominant power and oppress men. Garcia is worried about young people who admire figures that promote these harmful ideas. "I think if anyone truly believes in what the manosphere stands for and acts that way in their own life, they're not going to be happy when they do get the chance to be in a relationship," Garcia says.
The algorithms of social media platforms can also contribute to the spread of manosphere content. Barnes explains that the manosphere has become more mainstream, partly due to figures like Andrew Tate and the rise of right-wing politics. She says that while manosphere blogs and websites peaked around 2013, the core ideas have become more prominent on social media. This is amplified by algorithms that can quickly expose users, including young people, to extremist content. Barnes warns that parents are right to be concerned because children can be exposed to this content very rapidly, even if their activity is monitored.
The consequences of the manosphere extend beyond online rhetoric. Barnes emphasizes the real-life violence associated with these groups, citing incel ideologies’ connection to mass shootings, as well as the doxxing and harassment of women. Britannica.com describes "incel" as a member of an online subculture composed primarily of heterosexual men who identify as unable to have romantic or sexual relationships, often expressing grievance toward women. "People might think that the manosphere is just this undesirable online element, but it actually does have real-life consequences for a substantial portion of the population," Barnes warns.
Garcia Sanchez also addresses the manosphere, acknowledging that while many dismiss it, its ideology has a strong following. "I know that especially our generation has really come to make fun of the whole Andrew Tate thing, there are a lot of people that we don't see… However there's another social group out there, many who believe that this is the epitome of masculinity," Garcia Sanchez states. Garcia Sanchez stresses the importance of understanding why people are drawn to toxic masculinity and the need to educate them against it. He also suggests that a lack of education as well as feelings of powerlessness can drive some men towards the manosphere's promises of power and respect.
The Future: Toward Equality and Respect
There seems to be a current of cautious optimism flowing through discussions about masculinity's future. While some still cling to traditional gender roles, a growing wave of support for gender equality is undeniable. A Pew Research Center study indicates this shift, revealing that while old views persist, a significant portion of society is embracing more equitable norms. Trujillo-Garcia expresses hope for this evolving landscape, particularly within certain regions. "I think it depends on where you are in the world. But at least here, I think there's a lot of progress being made… Hopefully, there will be a lot of respect from both men and women."
Trujillo-Garcia envisions a future where relationships are defined by equality, with shared responsibilities and mutual respect becoming the standard, not the exception. Trujillo-Garcia also believes this evolving view is resonating with many of his peers. "I think my closest friends really understand how important it is to break away from what we're used to," Garcia says. "I want to believe that within our own families, we see what's right and what's wrong. We take what's right and use it in our own relationships, but also remember the things that are wrong, so we don't repeat the cycle." This suggests a recognition among younger generations of the need to learn from both the positive and negative aspects of traditional gender dynamics.
This journey toward a healthier, more equitable version of masculinity isn't without its obstacles. As Barnes notes, groups within the manosphere actively promote a return to "neo-masculinity," seeking to reinstate traditional power structures. The persistence of these viewpoints presents ongoing challenges.
However, the increasing awareness of these issues, coupled with the willingness of individuals like Trujillo-Garcia to challenge outdated ideas and embrace open dialogue, provides a sense of hope. The path forward as many see it, lies in continued conversation, self-reflection and a collective commitment to dismantling harmful stereotypes. Their ultimate goal is a society where empathy, vulnerability and mutual respect are not seen as weaknesses, but as fundamental strengths allowing all individuals, regardless of gender, to thrive.
