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Society would definitely shape the way boys are raised, especially black boys/men they are told constantly what should be & what should not be acceptable. "Toxic" Masculinity is taught from an early age, even if it isn't realized. What is considered to be "gay" for boys & what is considered masculine are lines that rarely blur, boys are to play with cars and like the color blue, girls play with dolls, and kitchens and should like pink. I reviewed a blog debate going on about little boys playing with kitchen sets, men across the internet, and emphasized how thats not a toy for boys. For my son, I and my fiance built him a kitchen for Christmas because he showed interest in them, this wasn't something his dad thought twice about and I love that.

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"How social norms shape our sex/gender."

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"How social norms shape our sex/gender."

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The subject of masculinity appeals to me, the stories about men growing up in toxic environments when they were small, shaped who they became in adulthood. Raising a boy I want to nurture all aspects and allow him to know it is okay to express himself as he sees fit. In an excerpt from the textbook of gender(pg.79) "our gendered experience shapes our brain". This picture is of my son, he received a package from florida from my step-mommy, this wouldn't be the idealistic items for a boy but he loved them and embraced the items right away. In my household i and his father don't place norms on him nor do we try to raise a toxic mindset. Children should be free to be children and enjoy childhoods without the bitterness of those with low acceptance.

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An example taken out of the "Psychology of Gender" , is that key dimensions to hegemonic masculinity are: Competitiveness & Dominance, Emotional Inexpressiveness, Gender Role Stress, Homophobia & Misogny.
Unfortunately with that being part of the pyramid of masculinity there is no room for expression or softness in males. I feel it is important to incorporate teachings of expressiveness through life and emotion through men. I created the idea of this cake for a baby shower sunday, and even though the parents were having a girl the husband and wife didn't want to conform to the "pink" that naturally celebrates girls, so this was the color that was chosen to express. I liked the idea and now when i stare at the cake, i think of layers, the many layers that can be behind masculinity & the lower you get to the bottom is the better understanding you have of all the care and tenderness of Masculinity.

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Date night on a Monday evening, Two strawberry Margaritas. In society, the idea of a man drinking a fruity drink just isn't manly enough its hyper-masculinity that makes that an issue, However, a man who is comfortable in his skin doesn't face these concerns. There are certain things while dating someone who comes from a background of toxic masculinity that is hard to break through and it takes a lot of time for them to unlearn certain things that are placed on boys from an early age. After a lot of conversation and awareness, i'm able to break through to more caring masculinity within my partner, and he is able to express characteristics of tender masculinity in the relationship he maintains with others (male friends, his father and etc). Because of this more caring side, we can come together and kick down certain walls as we are raising a young man who will be able to self-express and live to do what makes him happy.

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"If guys are to be happy and fulfilled, they need to open up emotionally, express their vulnerability, and connect with others(Pg.145)." When little boys are shown endless love and support they feel comfortable expressing themselves is my pure belief. My son has a father who had a tough upbringing coming from the Caribbean islands, but he surely doesn't have to suffer emotional abuse because of it. Every day he is provided room to feel and express. I hope we can live in a world where we smash the patriarchy overall but as well as men can feel loved and supported and can give it right back to the little people in the world who need it because they will lead all of us one day.