Performing American Masculinities: The 21st-Century Man in Popular Culture - Softcover

Elwood Watson; Marc Edward Shaw

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0253222702 ISBN 13: 9780253222701

Publisher: Indiana University Press, 2011

Synopsis

This collection highlights the fluidity of masculinity in American popular culture at the turn of the new millennium and beyond by examining possibilities for male identity formation. Each chapter mines American popular culture―theatre, film, literature, music, advertising, internet content, television, photography, and current events―to pose questions about the process of gender creation and the contestation of masculinities as constantly changing political forms. The first section explores masculinities within late capitalism and includes studies of Seinfeld, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, and reality television. The second section addresses identity when masculinity intersects with race, religion, disability, and sexuality, including chapters on Barack Obama, the O.J. trial, and popular movies.

About this title

About the Author:

Elwood Watson is Professor of History, African American Studies, and Gender Studies at East Tennessee State University. He is author of Outsiders Within: Black Women in the Legal Academy after Brown v. Board.

Marc E. Shaw is Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts at Hartwick College. His recent publications include contributions to the book Twilight and Philosophy.

Review:

"The essays included are topical, socially aware and mark not only the ways masculinity is discussed but also the potential for future discussion. [...] With a judicious balance between gender theory and pop-cultural readings, Performing Masculinities offers a diverse and exciting collection suited to a variety of disciplines and projects. The text provides a cogent introduction to masculinities and a specialized focus that marks the potential of masculinity studies through popular culture."  (Journal of Popular Culture, June 1, 2012)

About this edition

• Publisher: Indiana University Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0253222702
• ISBN 13: 9780253222701
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 252