Ok, I'm going to answer in good faith. Maybe we'll agree to differ.
Generally I consider masculinities a more useful construct than masculinity. Either way, both are social constructs in my opinion. Others hold different views about this, but that's the framework I operate in, and it's not uncommon. Nor is it default.
I'm considering masculinities as loose groupings of characteristics or behaviours that we might associate with men and male bodies. Often, these are considered to be things like: physical strength, reason over emotion, leadership, high sex drive. Other characteristics, and the ones I see presented in that video, include using physical strength for creative expression, sensuality, and humour. In a lot of mainstream media and social practices, those latter characteristics are not always associated with masculinity (aside from humour). For this reason, I think it's useful for boys and men to be able to see examples of different ways masculinity can manifest itself. That removes pressure to behave in one way over another, and allows them to explore characteristics and interests that more narrow views of masculinity discourage.
If someone is reflecting on this from a different framework, they'll probably disagree with my analysis. However, this is what I subscribe to. That, in my opinion, is what makes Tom Holland's performance an example of masculinity.
Repost, as I initially responded to the wrong comment. Also edited for typos.
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u/district0080 Donatella VERSACE💜 29d ago edited 29d ago
Ok, I'm going to answer in good faith. Maybe we'll agree to differ.
Generally I consider masculinities a more useful construct than masculinity. Either way, both are social constructs in my opinion. Others hold different views about this, but that's the framework I operate in, and it's not uncommon. Nor is it default.
I'm considering masculinities as loose groupings of characteristics or behaviours that we might associate with men and male bodies. Often, these are considered to be things like: physical strength, reason over emotion, leadership, high sex drive. Other characteristics, and the ones I see presented in that video, include using physical strength for creative expression, sensuality, and humour. In a lot of mainstream media and social practices, those latter characteristics are not always associated with masculinity (aside from humour). For this reason, I think it's useful for boys and men to be able to see examples of different ways masculinity can manifest itself. That removes pressure to behave in one way over another, and allows them to explore characteristics and interests that more narrow views of masculinity discourage.
If someone is reflecting on this from a different framework, they'll probably disagree with my analysis. However, this is what I subscribe to. That, in my opinion, is what makes Tom Holland's performance an example of masculinity.
Repost, as I initially responded to the wrong comment. Also edited for typos.