So as I was doing some regular discrete browsing of the World Wide Web, I came across an interesting article. A company called Koi Kouture™ decided to make candles for “manly men”, because it has become apparent that men do not like the smell of daisies, lilies, and all that cal. (Thumbs up if you get the reference) They decided to take the bottoms of recycled beer bottles, and use them as a sort of container for these candles. That’s not the most alluring part however, it’s the names of the different scents they offer that I find to be quite interesting. The variety of scents offered range from; “Hooters waitress scented”, “stripper breath scented”, “Axe body spray scented”, and many other “manly” scents. Also what caught my attention is the disclaimer by the company; Koi Kouture does recognize that they cannot alienate the fairer sex and admits that these candles are also for the “awesome girls” that drink beer like “real men”. I find the disclaimer to be a bit of an oxymoron, but I’ll leave that up to discussion.How do I specifically feel about this? I actually don’t know what to feel, as I’m not sure if the production of these candles is just mere satire, or something to be actually taken seriously. If it is something to be taken seriously, I believe that our definition of “manliness” is quite skewed and distorted due to the prevalence of the stereotypical “manly” man in media, and because the media has continually perpetuated this stereotypical image. Nevertheless, I would like to discuss the stereotypical “manly man” as portrayed by the media today. Stereotypical traits such as facial hair, covered in dirt, cocky, bold, arrogant, chops wood at 5 am, and all that cal. I would like to hear your opinions on this subject.
Article: http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=3659
How do you feel about this article? Through your point of view, how does media portray “manliness”? Is this a fair conjecture? Do you think it reflects our societal view of “manliness”? Do you feel that the media perpetuating “manly” stereotypes also further perpetuates gender inequality? What is your definition of true “manliness”?
First of all, I didn’t get the reference, second of all I agree with your comment about how media portrays the image of “manly”.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your first question, I feel about this article the same way I felt about gender stereotypes, and how the media shows it. Specifically, the company that made these candles try to satisfy their male customers, but they are demonstrating some gender stereotype as well. However, some of what they did could be argued. For instance, it’s true that most men don’t like candles, and it could be that they are trying to sell more candles, so you can look at this situation in both ways. The media portrays “manliness” in many ways. For example they demonstrate the dominance of males over females by picking males for adventurous commercials or in a movie; they pick the male as the hero. These show the inequality between males and females in the media, which is an unfair conjecture. I think that this unfair conjecture reflects our social view of manliness. However this could go either way as all humans are not the same, and we think differently about a topic. Which thinking could be more popular in the society, well, I think is the stereotypes about male toughness and females are not, or how males are “manly”.
To answer the next question, I believe that the media does perpetuate “manly” stereotypes, and it could be for many reasons. My definition of manly is that a male who is strong not just physically but more importantly, mentally strong as well. A man who can withstand any difficulties that faces him in life. This is my definition of manly.
I agree.
ReplyDeletethey were obviously trying to be hilarious, I say that because the disclaimer suggests that the creators were both trying to appeal to the humorous side of people as well as perhaps unconsciously attract males into buying such products.
ReplyDeleteAfter all, wouldn't it be funny for a lady friend to come over and ask you what scent it is, only to reply its “Hooters waitress scented”?
I agree that it is partly satire, but you didn't answer any of the questions I listed at the bottom of the post other than "how did you feel about the article?".
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Adnan on your definition of "manliness", and how it should not be limited to the physical spectrum. Do you feel that the media's interpretation of "manliness" also have an effect on female gender stereotypes? Does it lengthen the gap of gender inequality?
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ReplyDeleteHassan, i believe it does effect female gender stereotyes in a way. Because when the media or in this case "companies" state men as manly and sell men candles, it demostrates disrespect towards females. It tells them that females are weak, ete. Which i beleve builds more gender stereotypes.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this does lengthen the gap of gender inequality because we cannot satify both males and females at the same time, and maybe we can but it's difficult.
And in what ways may we be able to satisfy individuals of both genders at once? Is it an anomaly or is it actually possible?
ReplyDeleteWell, one way that we might satisfy both gender at ones is to have the opinions of all the females in the world, and have their say about what should be equal, and have all men in the world say their comment, and then bring everything together and try to have an gender equality as possible.
ReplyDeleteHowever, everyone is not the same, and woman in western cultures have diffrent values then in eastern coultures. This could be because of religion, ete.
It possibe, but likely impossible at the same time
I agree, and I believe that is the true anomally regarding gender equality. However, I do believe we can still omit gender stereotypes in a manner that will satisfy both genders. This will likely come from a growing sense of tolerence we are gaining as a society, the changing gender roles in society, the growing prevalence of women in the workplace, and many other factors regarding our everchanging society.
ReplyDeleteI think that this company exploits the age long need for males to seek sexual satisfaction.
ReplyDeleteI think this because all the scents represented here are all ones that exploit female sexuality (such as the axe body spray one, the axe ads always representing female attraction).
Perhaps this is what the company considers manly.
i agree
ReplyDeletenice discussion
This comment is by Halimo
ReplyDeleteThe medias defention of manilines only widdens the geneder gap as it suggest that everything a man is, a women is not. This is problematic as they interpet being "manily" as being independant, strong etc. If a man is all of this then by default a women should be the opposite. See the problem?
I feel that the article is trying to be humerus, and trying to entertain the reader. I think the media portrays manliness as someone who is tough, does what he wants and shown powerful. Also being manly is being not feminine. Which brings me to the point that manliness in realty is a sick way (not cool)to put down females.The definition i give of manliness is a male who is too full of testosterone and acts like he's better than every one.
ReplyDeleteAh yes but Asim, does that not bring us back to my main point? Your definition of manliness almost fits superlatively to the media's portrayal of manliness. Don't you believe that in some inconspicuous manner, the media has affected your view of manliness? Do you believe your view would be different if your life had lacked media?
ReplyDelete