Some people have concrete ideals on how men and women should be. Women are supposed to be soft, sensitive, weak and feminine while men should be tough, stoic, strong and masculine.
Society can become the victim when countless young men endanger their lives and the lives of others by participating in risky behaviors such as binge drinking, reckless driving, violence as well as other behaviors.
Cynthia Pelak, a University of Memphis sociology professor, said society as well as relatives and the media teach young men how to become macho.
"We teach those values," she said. "We teach them in our families, politics and our support of wars. Those are the expectations that we teach, those are the values that we award."
To some being masculine means being in total control at all times and within that lays the notion of invulnerability some males try to achieve at all costs.
"Risky behavior is equated with masculinity," she said. "It's to affirm and prove their masculinity."
She explained it as a hierarchy of males. If a man does not meet the top-dog or alpha-male mentality, he can be labeled a sissy or a wimp. Wimp and sissy are equated with having feminine qualities.
"In our society, feminine traits are devalued," Pelak said.
The delusion of invulnerability is what leads so many young men into violence and unfounded aggression.
Nathan Pugh, a senior English major, said he thinks pressure from other males is a key reason for this.
"I guess there is a lot of peer pressure to act a certain way," Pugh said.
He also said the media definitely plays a role in this behavior.
Alex So, a junior biology major, agreed.
"It's like the media puts a stereotype on men," So said. "Men are doing most of the violence on TV. Most of the lyrics in songs revolve around shooting people or dying."
Some men are also taught that real men do not share their emotions, that hiding them is the best way to go. According to Wikipedia.org, 7 percent of men suffer from depression and men are more likely to commit suicide than women.
"Men are taught not to show any vulnerability," Pelak said. "That it equals weakness."
Pugh said he would go see a counselor if he had a problem he could not overcome alone.
"I just don't think that way," Pugh said. "Yes, it would be admitting a weakness, but so what? I do not care what others think."
But, on the other hand he said he would be hesitant to do so.
"It's a guy thing," he said.
He said it would take someone close to him to convince him he ought to seek outside help.
Pugh said men that act overly masculine should re-evaluate themselves.
"I think they are borderline delusional," he said. "They are not being true to themselves and others have to suffer for it."
