Male Representation

If someone were to ask a child in our heteronormative society, what they thought of men, the usual responses would probably be strong or tough. This is because it's a performativity among our society. If anyone were to watch a movie or a TV show made in the US, it usually portrays male characters as the person who does the dangerous tasks, saves the female in distress and never cries when something doesn't go their way. This of course leads young males to act in a similar manner (or at least as similar as they can). If one were to watch a few males in homosocial activities, usually they would be sports or other various games that would decide a clear winner. If not, it would be some sort of task about making themselves look appealing to females, i.e. weight-lifting or getting one's hair done. This is what males tend to do because it has become a social norm.
Verbally, males often begin to use words like buff and stud to describe themselves when it comes to talking about themselves. Eventually, girls begin to call the boys similar words too. Guys use words that make them sound strong and sexy in hopes of getting a girlfriend or to "get lucky." They do this because it too is a social norm. Not all words are of course appealing to males. If a guy were to act too femine, or against the social norm, a term that could be used to describ him would be gay. Many men, fearing a blow to their sexuality, try to act even more like the styerotipical male. I feel sorry for a lot of men because many can't live their lives as they want to in fear of being "shunned" or made fun of.