Starting in middle school, Jon loved to “give kids flak” and “teach them a lesso

Question

Starting in middle school, Jon loved to “give kids flak” and “teach them a lesson.” He was constantly clowning around in class, pulling chairs out from under girls who were wearing skirts and sticking his foot out in the aisle when the class “nerd” went to ask the teacher his fifth question of the hour. Lots of kids had been exposed to Jon’s goofing, and usually everyone laughed when they were not the ones affected by his antics.

Since elementary school, Mike has often been on the receiving end of Jon’s bullying. He had shoved into the shower with his clothes on, his clothes had disappeared during gym class and were found in the cafeteria, and he was taunted weekly about his height and weight. He was constantly feeling like his same-age peers bullied him with physical contact, harsh and degrading words and gestures, exploitation, and exclusion.

By the end of middle school, Mike had no true friends. He had few acquaintances that he talked with during the day, many of whom were also victims of bullying. He usually ate his lunch by himself, as quickly as possible, and aimlessly wandered the hallways of the school.

What cultural definitions of masculinity are at work in middle childhood that may reinforce Jon’s behaviors or make Mike ashamed of his body?

Explanation / Answer

Introduction- The term masculinity refers to set of attributes, behaviours and roles which associated with the boys and men. The masculinity belongs to power, independence, and courage in most of cultures. The development of masculinity begins from childhood, Sigmund Freud described the masculinity with the help of psychoanalytic theory.

Case 1

The psychoanalytic theory can explain the reason of Jon’s behaviour, Jon was trying to get attention in the class by their activities and this ended up with possibilities of harm for other children. The masculinity in early child hood depends on unconscious mind rather than intentionally performing. Jon is experiencing traditional approach of masculinity and using this to make attention toward his activities.

Case 2

Mike seems to a shy students and he was facing the problematic behaviour because he cannot oppose the activities which happens most of the time with him, he made himself a thing of fun but in the negative way, while Jon made himself as he want to be. Masculinity development in Mike showing fear, lack of confidence and behavioural problems, he cannot able to oppose so that the worse things happen with him.

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