No Pain!

Men are often expected to show no signs of weakness...a mere grimace from pain after taking a bullet in the arm is all that is acceptable. Recently, I watched Black Dog on TV, staring Patrick Swayze. The particular scene that seemed to scream MASCULINITY! to me took place on the back of a Semi-truck speeding down the highway. Patrick is fighting another guy in the space between the cab of the truck and the trailer, meanwhile, Meatloaf was driving next to them shooting a revolver in their direction. Patrick grimaced a little, but kept fighting as if he felt nothing. Later, after that battle had settled, Patrick was scene on the side of the road pouring gunpowder in his wound and then lighting it to coderize his gaping bullet wound. Did he cry out in pain? Of course not, that wouldn't be very masculine for a hero to do.

This is an excellent example of how pain perceived from a masculine point of view. To show pain is to show weakness. Men are expected to always be strong. In order to be viewed as strong, a man can not show weakness, thus can not reveal his pain. This idea is confirmed in society from the time we are little boys. Often, little boys are told to "suck it up" if they get hurt, while the little girl is consoled. This tells us that it is not ok if a boy shows pain, but needs to be tough enough to keep going. I can remember getting in trouble if I fell and hurt myself when I was a boy. My dad, who was also a Marine, would say, "you messed up, now get up." Then he would call me a scuzzy maggot and I would give him a hug and tell him I love him too and go on playing, showing off my newly aquired battle wounds.

This type of behavior can be seen in many aspects of our lives and is especially prevalent in action movies. The hero must appear invulnerable to his enemy or he might reveal a weakness that could lead to his defeat. As a young boy, watching this type of mindset on TV implants the idea that "I can not show weakness either if I want to be great"...and people usually want to be great.