Analysis Of Levant's Reconstruction Of Masculinity

Social Issues
Levant’s reconstruction of masculinity (1992) proposes to “attempt to inspire men to find the courage to undertake the ‘modern hero’s journey’ which is an inner pilgrimage, involving confrontation with one’s own emotional demons” (Levant, 1992, p. 232). Living in an time and location where homosexuality may not be fully accepted, Edward must find the means to first face his own emotions and come to terms with his masculinity in his homosexuality. Furthermore, he must be able to navigate discoveries of himself among his community. Edward’s inner conflict stems from a number of factors. Society’s view of gender roles and masculinity differs from what Edward’s view of his life is.
Edward challenges the traditional gender roles in more ways than one. He has dealt not only with an absent father, but also is left to depend on his mother who was emotionally absent as well, making it difficult for Edward to experience a positive male role model in his life. Furthermore, he is a teacher, which is traditionally seen as a profession for a woman. In his mid-life stage at almost fifty years old, Edward has never been married, nor had any children. In the 1980’s, these factors may be seen by society as strange. Edward’s primary inner conflict with his role as a man and his masculinity comes from quietly dealing with issues of homosexuality.
Taking into consideration the Gender Role Strain Paradigm, gender roles are to be thought of as strongly influenced by “prevailing gender ideologies, which themselves vary according to social location and cultural context” (Levant & Richmond, 2007, p. 131). Through this theoretical lens, the idea of gender as influenced from culture gives explanation towards the socialization of young childre...

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...lf throughout his life, feeling guilty of the ways he desires to live his life. This guilt takes a new form in Edward after an encounter with their neighbor’s son, Gary, who is a young teenager. The struggle with himself and his homosexuality has led Edward to manifest his urges at the wrong place and wrong time, toward somebody that he should not be directing himself towards. Edward does not know how to navigate the guilt he has already felt in hiding his homosexuality all of his life, as well as this new guilt for what happened with Gary. He has a history of inability in regulating his emotions and concealing his true identity within the conservative society and culture. The culmination of these internal negative emotions and circumstances directs Edward into an even darker place psychologically, leading him to feeling more alone than ever, and to attempt suicide.