Esquire: Masks, Men, and the Exhausting Pursuit of Desperate Masculinity

[Generic Other]

American men are opting to go maskless out of shame. Ironically, it's the weakest thing they could do.

https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a32478465/covid-19-men-not-wearing-face-masks-coronavirus/

I'll give you tough guys this—void of the context of our current situation, there is no such thing as a "cool" looking mask. There are no amount of patterns, logos, or patterned logos that can outdo the cool factor of being thoughtful. Style simply need not apply to this conversation—at least not right now. While the entrance of masks into our familiar realities will inevitably serve as an incubator for status symbolism, wearing one at all will really only ever send one message: I give a shit. Yes, you will look silly. You will also look smart. And hey, if anyone knows how to suck it up and be a man it's you, right?

And so someone will need to let me know when giving a shit became a "stigma," because wearing a mask is not shameful, it is the new standard. And it is quite literally the opposite of a sign of weakness. Tough pills to swallow? You wouldn't think so. But in pursuit of desperate manliness, it appears American men can't seem to shake the art of overcompensation in service of their fellow citizens. Given what we all know—and at this point we all know—about this virus, I cannot understand how leaving their face covering at home could make a man feel strong.

[iemitsu]

1. Good read. Everyone should look at this.

Especially men, who think masks are emasculating.

[Hortensis]

18. Yes. But reading that excerpt from the study explains fully

why the author chose to paraphrase. The finding discussed here is at the end.

We also conducted pre-registered analyses of gender differences on intentions to wear a face covering. We find that men less than women intend to wear a face covering, but this difference almost disappears in counties where wearing a face covering is mandatory. We also find that men less than women believe that they will be seriously affected by the coronavirus, and this partly mediates gender differences in intentions to wear a face covering (this is particularly ironic because official statistics actually show that men are affected by the COVID-19 more seriously than women). Finally, we also find gender differences in self-reported negative emotions felt when wearing a face covering. Men more than women agree that wearing a face covering is shameful, not cool, a sign of weakness, and a stigma; and these gender differences also mediate gender differences in intentions to wear a face covering.

Mask campaigns Public information should go after the "little dick" AND "invulnerable male" misapprehensions.

But also hit thoughtless risk-taking versus strong, manly leadership and responsibility:

Matt Englar-Carlson, the author of multiple books on masculinity as well as the director of the Center for Boys and Men at California State University at Fullerton, says masks are just the latest iteration of a longstanding issue.

“Decades of research on men’s health has shown disparities between men and women in health behaviors,” Englar-Carlson says. “These disparities exist around preventative health measures such as self-exams, helmet use for cycles, using sunscreen, seat belt use, preventative health care and seeking of health care services, but also in taking life-threatening risks. Men tend to engage in more risk-taking behavior, and not wearing a mask or downplaying the risk of COVID-19 is a considerable health risk.”

These guys don't know how to be the men they want to be.

[ariadne0614]

20. "These guys don't know how to be the men they want to be."

I blame the stupid, obsolete patriarchy. Individual men are liberating themselves from the “man box” and rejecting the social conditioning imposed from the age of three by this ridiculous, un-evolved system. Once they become conscious of the system, they might stop taking articles like this as an existential threat to their “manhood.”

[hlthe2b]

2. Pathetic men who refuse to mask or distance themselves makes me want to do/say things

I'd never even consider doing in the past. I just want to humiliate the hell out of them because that is what they deserve.

[ariadne0614]

3. Every road that got us into this mess leads back to the obsolete patriarchy. n/t

[LizBeth]

4. "I give a shit, You will also look smart" That really is true. Internal, I have thought that when I

do see a man in a mask which is contrary to what they have put out over the last couple months not wearing a mask. I mean, I did not conclude that consciously or really pay attention until thinking about it just now. But it is what is flashing thru my mind when I see a man in a mask, because of their projection.

[ariadne0614]

7. Some masked men look more than just smart.

Last edited Sun May 24, 2020, 11:01 AM - Edit history (1)

My lover has very sexy eyes.

[LizBeth]

8. ;)

[Tipperary]

5. Are men really this insecure?

I find this sad.

[ariadne0614]

6. It's very, very sad.

If it wasn’t so annoying and exasperating, I’d want to find a way to rescue them all.

[Generic Other]

10. I am trying to retain some sympathy

but I can't help but be frustrated as you are. Someone posted this on FB and was accused of male-bashing. So far from that.

[ariadne0614]

21. It's a bone-headed, knee-jerk reaction to challenging information.

My exasperation is fueled by the fact that women have been adapting to changing, expanding gender role for decades. Instead of embracing social evolution, too many men still cling to the old paradigm, even though it shortens their own lifespans, undermines their intimate relationships, perpetuates injustice, and on, and on, and on.

[Paladin]

9. Only the pathetic segment.

This may be an opportune means of getting rid of a portion of the population we can do without.

[Generic Other]

11. I have vowed to myself to quit thinking like this

It reflects poorly on me in ways I never thought I'd behave. You know why, so I will leave it there.

I will reserve my disgust for their role model.

Peace.

[Paladin]

12. The downward spiral will continue, so long as they don't fear us.

Peace.

[Generic Other]

13. I care about my wellbeing as a human being

who has to look in the mirror at myself everyday.

They clearly do not care. It may be a deadly mistake on their parts. And deadly to us. And I hope they come to regret the folly of their ways, but I will try not to mock them as Darwin award winners even if they have earned it. I realize if I do go all Spencerian on them, I will sound as bad as that which I condemn.

I don't blame anyone for feeling this way though. And privately I do think this is a factor.

[Paladin]

19. "It may be..." "I hope they..." "I will sound as bad..."

You're entitled to your opinions. But for years I've been saying that the Democratic Party cannot afford to cede the battle to the forces of right-wing darkness by adhering to a set of squishy, goody-two-shoes, wildly outdated, good conduct rules. Rules which the right wing has been using for toilet paper for decades. We either get down on their filthy level for a period of time and defeat them, or we get in line to board the trains to the concentration camps. That's where things stand.

[misanthrope]

15. Oh, yeah

Come to the South and gaze upon the proliferation of large pick-up trucks and SUVs that have obviously never been used for work or driven off-road. Their pampered status seems obvious at a glance.

I don't get it. Why get a truck if you don't need to use it for its intended purposes? If I was going to pour time and money into a vehicle like that, it would be a sleek, higher performance car, not a rolling behemoth.

[smirkymonkey]

14. I find men who refuse to wear a mask because they think it LOOKS weak, are in reality

pathetic and weak because they aren't men enough to have the courage to do the right thing.

They back down because of their sad little egos, not because they are tough. When I see a man (or a woman) without a mask, I see a weak, selfish, stupid person who only cares about themself and their pathetic image.

[GulfCoast66]

16. I'm a 54 year old guy and most who refuse masks look like me.

I’m not in bad shape for my age. A slight belly and my ass is shrinking. My face is not bad looking but nothing to write home about. Good cheek bones but my nose is a little wide to be considered pretty. I’m good with it all.

But I’ve got the best blue eyes you will ever see. Wearing a mask highlights my best physical quality! And my partner of 33 years is at risk. I would wear a space suit to keep her safe!

I could not care less what others think.

I learned years ago men that worry about their manliness probably have reason to do so. Insecure assholes.

[Generic Other]

17. You are a real man

because you are strong enough to show you care.