arguments of definition

Masculinity

'Take a look at the kids' section of your local video store," Katha Pollitt writes. "You'll find that features starring boys, and usually aimed at them, account for 9 out of 10 offerings," (299). Pollitt deplores not only the quantity of children's entertainment devoted to females and to female heroines; the author also suggests that the qualitative implications of this mostly unacknowledged bias "deforms both boys and girls," (300). Pollitt continues to note that she cannot think of "a single network cartoon or puppet show starring a female" and that the Warner Brother's delightful lineup starring Bugs Bunny and crew is entirely male (299). Masculinity rules, even in preschool.

In her article "The Smurfette Principle," Pollitt describes the legions of children's educational and entertainment materials that cater to a society fascinated with masculinity. Femininity, on the other hand, is portrayed in one of two ways: as an ancillary aspect to the male principle or as an admirably strong attempt to assert itself within the confines of a male-dominated world. Femininity as an ancillary aspect can be easily witnessed in "Shining Time Station," a preschool show on which the train engines are all male, their passenger cars all female. Imagery and symbolism of males being in control of females sends a powerful message to young, impressionable minds, minds that still believe, as Pollitt notes, that women become nurses, not doctors. The second feminine expression is through what Pollitt calls the Smurfette Principle: "a group of male buddies will be accepted by a lone female, stereotypically defined," (299). The Smurfette Principle can be witnessed with increasing intensity in a culture that struggles more and more with the meaning of gender. Women attempting to empower themselves and validate their dreams and ambitions continue to do so in accordance with the Smurfette Principle. For example, in the biography of Adam, the Smurfette Principle helped his wife to define her boundaries: she would shop, like it or not. However, Adam still emerges as the overall winner, as he "retains a sense of fundamental superiority and mastery over women throughout his life," (4).

In her article "Femininity," Susan Brownmiller indirectly defines masculinity as the principle that comprises straightforward, confident success. Her definition is in perfect alignment with Pollitt's. Both authors agree that masculinity means control, power, success, and superiority. Based on these readings and on Adam's biography, masculinity can be defined as a social construct formed in early childhood that determines not only gender identification but also psycho-social and political realities; specific masculine qualities include dominance, confidence, control, success, and power.

Masculinity perhaps finds its most primitive yet clear and powerful expression in children's literature, television, and video entertainment. In children's entertainment adults can see the fundamental archetypes and stereotypes that underlie society's gender constructs. Pollitt provides numerous examples of the masculine principle at work in children's literature and video, including the train engines pulling the female cars, in full control of their capacity to move. When the female is present in a story, she is rarely the top star. When she is the top star, she rose to her position by deferring to males at some point or at least deferring to their masculine prowess, as when a princess rescues a prince only so that she can marry him.

The symbolism inherent in children's literature becomes tangible realities for adults. Pollitt's friend's daughter could not believe that her mother was a doctor partly because her stories informed her so, but also because there happen to be more male doctors than female ones in the real world. The masculine principle at work in the medical profession denotes the "straightforward, confident success" that Brownmiller refers to (278). While countless women also exhibit qualities of straightforwardness, confidence, and success, they must still struggle to assert themselves in a male-dominated society. Not all female success stories rely on the Smurfette Principle, but few women in positions of power cannot relate to the phenomenon.

Masculinity is a social construct. No one can deny biology and its power over the human psyche but there is little doubt that masculinity is arbitrarily synonymous with power and mastery. Little girls and little boys are taught, through their literature and through their television tales that boys matter more than girls. The sheer volume of male heroes bears witness to this unfortunate lesson. Even on a show as seemingly egalitarian as "Sesame Street," all the important characters, such as Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, and the Cookie Monster, are male (Pollitt 300). The females don't count.