Frankie BauccoDr. JankowskiReading, Writing, and InquirySept. 8, 2015

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The Blame of MasculinityIn Pigskin, Patriarchy, and Pain, by Don Sabo, and Masculinity as Homophobia by Michael Kimmel, Sabo and Kimmel both examine the effect that the masculine drive for power has on the societal landscape in the 1990s. However, while their arguments focus on the same dynamic, they both expose different aspects of it, in different lights. Sabo asserts that men strive for power, using the pain theyve inflicted on themselves and others as a metric for what they are owed as men, while Kimmel says that the strive for power is a way to avoid personal, emotional pain, specifically, to avoid being ridiculed by other men as feminine. Sabo starts immediately by explaining his own personal experience with pain and masculinity, by talking about his surgery that left him, completely free of pain for the first time in years (Sabo 82). He then goes on to explain that he played football at a young age to win the attention of his peers (Sabo 82), first demonstrating his idea of the exchange of personal well-being for rewards and power over others. He also calls into question the idea of self-esteem derived from undergoing pain for others attention. He talks about his idol, Dick Butkus, the now former linebacker for the Chicago Bears. If I could be like Butkus, I told myself, people would adore me as much as I adore him. I might even learn to love myself. (Sabo 83). All of this tells us that the rest of this paper will be, if not focused, then inspired by his experience. More importantly, it paints himself, and likewise, other young men like him, are responsible for their own pursuit of power.The pain principle is simple. It is the idea that pain is more important than pleasure, that it is the only way to get anywhere in life (Sabo 86). This outlook causes men to seek out pain, so that they can prove themselves as masculine. Men feel that they have to take orders, to take pain, to take out opponents, to take the game seriously, to take women, and to take their place on the team(Sabo 87) This shows a certain amount of entitlement from the perspective of men, and also a sort of pressure. They cant be given these things, they have to work for them, and take them for themselves. This is a societal pressure. Its inflicted by men on each other, but more importantly, on each other. Again, this places the blame squarely on the shoulders of men as a collective for the current state of things.Sabo argues that men use the pain they go through to justify their want for power, and in turn, express themselves as masculine through their ability to take pain. However, Kimmel argues the opposite, and says that men act masculine to avoid pain. Not physical pain, but the emotional pain that is associated with being accused of being feminine, or weak.Kimmel states, in the very first sentence of his paper, that The great secret of American manhood is: we are afraid of other men. (Kimmel 147) This shows itself in many different ways, according to him. His first and most memorable example is that of the playground scenario, which entails that, if he were to walk onto any playground anywhere, he could start a fight by asking a group of boys which of them was a sissy. The two responses that are most likely to occur are that a fight will break out, or someone will cry, proving the rest of the boys right. (Kimmel 147). This shows that from a young age, we are forced to accept the critical eye of our peers, who do not necessarily control how we feel, but influence it very strongly. In addition, this constant competition often creates a totem pole effect, with certain people above each other, and, logically, people below.This feeds directly into another point brought up by Kimmel. When confronted with the analysis that men have all the power, many men react incredulously. What do you mean, men have all the power?" they ask. "What are you talking about? My wife bosses me around. My kids boss me around. My boss bosses me around. I have no power at all! I'm completely powerless! (Kimmel 149). This leads directly into a discussion about the mens movement. Specifically, one of their symbols, which is that of the chauffer. According to them, though the chauffer appears to have power, since he is driving the car and wearing the uniform, he is not in charge. They claim that this is exactly what they feel like. However, Kimmel exposes that the one who is in charge of the chauffer is also a man, which lets a new truth emerge. Patriarchy not only stifles women, but also less powerful males (Kimmel 149). This causes men to feel the need to scrape for power, so that they can avoid being crushed by so called superior men.Kimmel and Sabo both expose some harsh truths about masculinity, and the price it demands. However, while Sabo says that these negative effects are self-imposed, Kimmel would say that it isnt the fault of the men who are simply caught up in a system they were raised in. Whether it is self-inflicted, or forced upon men, it is important to note that they both seem to express some degree of hope that things can be changed.

Works CitedKimmel, Michael S. Masculinity as Homophobia. Theorizing Masculinities. Los Angeles: Sage Publications, Inc, 1994. 8 Sept. 2015Sabo, Don. Pigskin, Patriarchy, and Pain. Sex, Violence, & Power in Sports: Rethinking Masculinity. Freedom: The Crossing Press, 1994. 1 Sept. 2015