Does God Make the Man?: Media, Religion, and the Crisis of Masculinity

Stewart M. Hoover,Curtis D. Coats

Does God Make the Man?: Media, Religion, and the Crisis of Masculinity
Format
Paperback
Publisher
New York University Press
Country
United States
Published
2 October 2015
Pages
240
ISBN
9781479862238

Does God Make the Man?: Media, Religion, and the Crisis of Masculinity

Stewart M. Hoover,Curtis D. Coats

Many believe that religion plays a positive role in men’s identity development, with religion promoting good behavior, and morality. In contrast, we often assume that the media is a negative influence for men, teaching them to be rough and violent, and to ignore their emotions. In Does God Make the Man?, Stewart M. Hoover and Curtis D. Coats draw on extensive interviews and participant observation with both Evangelical and non-Evangelical men, including Catholics as well as Protestants, to argue that neither of these assumptions is correct.

Dismissing the easy notion that media encourages toxic masculinity and religion is always a positive influence, Hoover and Coats argue that not only are the linkages between religion, media, and masculinity not as strong and substantive as has been assumed, but the ways in which these relations actually play out may contradict received views. Over the course of this fascinating book they examine crises, contradictions, and contestations: crises about the meaning of masculinity and about the lack of direction men experience from their faith communities; contradictions between men’s religious lives and media lives, and contestations among men’s ideas about what it means to be a man.

The book counters common discussions about a crisis of masculinity, showing that actual men do not see the world the way the crisis talk has portrayed it-and interestingly, even Evangelical men often do not see religion as part of the solution.

This item is not currently in-stock. It can be ordered online and is expected to ship in approx 2 weeks

Our stock data is updated periodically, and availability may change throughout the day for in-demand items. Please call the relevant shop for the most current stock information. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Sign in or become a Readings Member to add this title to a wishlist.