Portfolio Item #2: The Crisis in Masculinity http://www.salon.com/2012/05/31/the_man_crisis_continued/

This is an article series on Salon.com that talks about the perceived crisis facing men in the modern day and age. Salon.com is a fairly progressive media source and argues that the problem shouldn't be individualized but is rather larger, structural and cultural issues play a part in this crisis and need to be closely examined. The piece speaks about the crisis in masculinity in this regard being largely overstated. It ties in with the ideas presented by sociologist Michael Kimmel and the writings on “Guyland”. It argues that men are struggling in the present cultural context with masculine identity and that none of these are the fault of men or women. Women certainly have made inroads thanks to feminism into traditionally male-dominated spaces, which has left some men feeling challenged or emasculated. Men are taking longer to settle down, which Kimmel argues is a result of the longer lifespan the current generation will enjoy. Kimmel also argues the increasing instability of the labour market due to neoliberal economic policy has made young men fearful of committing to a single employer, and as men under patriarchy are supposed to be “breadwinners”, this has challenged traditional notions of masculinity. (Kimmel, 2008)