Dusty Wentworth

Introduction In an era of rapid social change and deep cultural introspection, the very concept of masculinity is undergoing a profound redefinition. This is not simply a passing trend; it is a fundamental societal recalibration that invites us to examine—and re-imagine—male roles for the contemporary world. What, then, does it truly mean to be a man in the 21st century? Deconstructing the Traditional Paradigm Historically, masculinity was defined by a rigid set of traits—physical prowess, stoicism, dominance, and the provider role. While once functional in pre-industrial societies, these characteristics imposed significant limitations. They stifled emotional expression, discouraged vulnerability, and offered a narrow, often isolating, vision of success. The dawn of the 21st century marked a pivotal shift. Global movements for gender equality, rising mental-health awareness, and the recognition of diverse identities have forced a necessary reassessment. Today, the modern ma...

Introduction: The Forgotten Narrative In the decades following World War II, society began rewriting the role of women with energy, clarity, and purpose. Women were encouraged to express emotion, pursue education, enter the workforce, and challenge tradition. And rightly so. But while we updated the story of womanhood, we failed to rewrite the story of man. To understand why that matters, we must first recognise that masculinity itself is not a biological law—but a cultural narrative. It’s a socially constructed script—shaped by folklore, religion, policy, media, and need. Masculinity has always been moulded by what a society demands of its men at a given moment: protectors in war, providers in peace, stoics in crisis. In essence, masculinity is a kind of cultural folk tale—handed down from generation to generation—not just to define men, but to produce the kind of men society believes it needs. This concept is well supported in academic literature. Sociologist R. W. Connel...