Throughout history, society has constructed models of the “ideal” man and woman. In every era, different representations of the ideal man and woman prompted new generations to mold themselves into the social constructs of such exemplary models. While the concept has often been focused on an individual’s physical abilities or likeness, society has shifted to an emphasis on the psychological aspects of the ideal man and woman in recent years. In his novel Early Autumn, Parker presents his own model of the “ideal man” in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Although Parker’s model represents the ideal man in a different era, his ideas and suggestions are reflected in our current society. Thus, according to Parker, the ideal man in a contemporary American society is one who combines both masculine and feminine qualities , and rejects traditional masculine gender roles to help others develop their unique identities.
To effectively understand Parker’s assertions, we must first recognize two main models of masculinity from a sociological standpoint. In his article “Marginalized Masculinities and Hegemonic Masculinity: An Introduction”, Cliff Cheng, editor of Masculinities In Organizations and a contributing writer of the Journal of Men’s Studies, claims that the ideal man in a modern American society exemplifies “hegemonic masculinity”, a “culturally idealized form of masculine character” that favors masculine qualities, such as dominance, aggression, and stoicism. Cheng describes “marginalized masculinity”, on the other hand, as an inferior form of masculinity that stems from nonconformity to the ideals of hegemonic masculinity. For instance, an emphasis on the necessity of feminine attributes in men would be considered a characteristic of marginalized masculinity. According to Cheng’s descriptions, Parker’s concept of masculinity is classified as marginalized masculinity. Although Parker’s view of masculinity may be categorized as an inferior model because it encourages the adoption of feminine qualities, Parker contends that his concept of the ideal man has become the new model of hegemonic masculinity in our contemporary society. Cheng helps explain Parker’s arguments when he admits that “as history changes, so does the definition of hegemonic masculinity… masculinities and femininities are extremely diverse… Different versions of masculinities and femininities coexist at a given historical period and even coexist in the same organization”. Through Spenser’s character, Parker affirms that the ideals of masculinity have shifted from the promotion of traditional masculine gender norms to the adoption of a combined set of feminine and masculine traits as society redefines its perception of masculinity. As a result, Parker embraces the fact that marginalized masculinity has taken the form of hegemonic masculinity because it allows men to highlight the importance of feminine traits and roles while maintaining their masculine gender identities; Thus, Parker reiterates that the attainment of such qualities creates the ideal man in a contemporary American society.
Parker’s model of the ideal man in a contemporary American society envisions a male figure who refuses to conform to society’s strict masculine gender expectations, and combines feminine and masculine characteristics to help others form their own identities. I agree that the integration of feminine gender qualities in men is a remarkable social advancement. Today, Parker’s “ideal man” plays a much larger role within the household. It is not uncommon to see men perform common household duties, or to become caretakers and “house-husbands” in our modern society. While I agree with Parker’s claims about the adoption of feminine gender qualities, I contend that the ideal man does not need to reject every traditional masculine gender expectation and norm. Rather than eliminating conservative masculine roles and traits, the ideal man uses them to his advantage. For example, the presence of a father figure in a child’s life is a traditional masculine norm that greatly impacts a child’s development and wellbeing. The ideal man is an assertive, independent, and courageous father who becomes a role model for his children; He is viewed as a protector and provider who offers physical and psychological support for his family. The ideal man does not stigmatize these traditional masculine values; instead, he recognizes the importance of maintaining traditional masculine gender norms, and defends these traits to educate young boys and men about its benefits for future generations.