If parents, educators and academics criticize the “princess” culture of Hollywood, then why don’t we hear anything about the “man-boy” culture that media seem to say is the “ideal” for males? The “man-boy” is a problem, perhaps worse than the “princess” culture, since it encourages males to behave like children well into adulthood. Grown-up behaviour is definitely NOT emphasized, considering the genre of movies tend to be targeted at males. In fact, more “adult” behaviour – gentlemen type men, are often made fun of, or at least implied as being “sissy.” Unless, of course, you’re George Clooney. But that’s something entirely different.
Trailer for the new Hangover movie
Even though I currently do not have children, I think the “man-boy” culture is very harmful to boys, perhaps more so than “princess culture” is to girls. The “princess” often more about appearance, while “man-boys” are behaviour-related. And that kind of behaviour can have consequences, since man-boy behaviour seems to emphasize drinking…and a lot of it. Movies like The Hangover and 21 & Over have a strong emphasis not only on alcohol, but irresponsible drinking. While it’s true that 21 & Over, for example, does show what over-drinking can do to someone, it is portrayed in a humourous manner, not to be taken seriously by the audience. In other words, it shows that acting irresponsibly is fun and “adult,” when it is nothing but. Especially in an age where everyone has a camera, it is not exactly the best thing to be IMMATURE, since it’s not a matter of when your pictures are going to end up online, but WHERE.
The glamorization of irresponsible drinking is not the only issue surrounding the “man-boy” – it’s also his interests, whether it be women (“hot” girls who generally aren’t too smart), music (how often is interest in classical music considered positive?) or his physical appearance. We all know from the red carpet that the greasy, “unshowered” look is “it” for men. Basically, they are saying that it’s perfectly fine to look like one has just rolled out of bed and thrown on whatever was on the floor – probably because one partied all night. And the man-boy is most definitely rude. By appearance, I would guess that he doesn’t even know how to act at a “real” job interview, let alone a formal dinner. The sad part is that no one seems to care that this is wrong. Academics and the extreme left would just say that our idea of “proper” is too “Eurocentric” (last I checked, all cultures have their own version of “proper” that is fairly similar when you examine it closely) and “racist” while the powerful radical right will consider it “elitist.” And if Hollywood does not change, our society will not, either. Besides, if girls are expected to be lady-like princesses, shouldn’t boys be gentlemanly princes? It’s only fair.
