skavenhorde said:
All these JRPGs that try to convey this through the main character by having him cry or whatnot just don't get it. The setting and narrative is enough to do this. I just read this drivel: Western RPGs are about emotional alienation
The western male rolemodel is an artificial construct that have been questioned more and more in recent times. Whether the rolemodel always existed or not it's difficult to know, but much of it seems to have grown in the victorian era. West only recognized one gender up to then (much thanks to Aristotles ideas about females being an incomplete male). At this time it was common to believe that what
is decide what
ought to be. (Social Darwinism is rooted in this belief as well). Since males had strong physical features it was assumed that their mind should also be strong and resilient.
The male rolemodel can be divided into four demands put on a boy. Boys who do not conform to this risk social sanction, even by females who still support "classic" rolemodels;
1. No sissy stuff
A male shouldn't do things associated with femininity. Not only is this one of the main components of male chauvinism and female submission (females were expected to take everything males didn't want), it actually demanded the male to sacrifice a part of his humanity. Females can today do everything associated with being male, but there are still plenty of things shunned if a male do it.
2. Big wheel
Males are considered to be the important wheels that keeps things going. But only males who are important, powerful or successful have value. Males who do not have these strengths have no value. Being the big wheel usually drive fathers into heartattacks even when his family ask him to slow down. He feel compulsed to continue to "support his family" when he can't. He feels that if he do not keeps things going, as society expects of him, even when everyone around him asks him to stop.
3. Sturdy Oak
Males is expected to be strong and independent. Do not allow your woman to control you. Do not ask for directions. Do not ask for help, including medical if it can be avoided. Males "know" everything even when they do not, which tend to earn them Darwin awards.
4. Give'em hell
Males should be more powerful than anyone else and should display this strength in violence if necessary. This tend to be the drive in honor killings and the need to revenge rather than forgive and move on.
There are quite a few issues associated with this social demand such as emotional issues (guilt over ones own emotions) which may lead to frustration and even violence (often directed against whomever the male love). Young males also have an excess suicide rate compared to young women. If the male cannot be strong and independent by other means, he can at least be strong enough to take his own life.
These issues can be compared with female hysteria (pointed out by Freud in the 20th century). Women were indoctrinated into feeling guilt about sexual needs which caused strong physical reactions. Luckily the female role model have became questioned and reformed, but the male rolemodel is still widely unquestioned and many still feel strong guilt about their emotions. Although this social structure have changed a bit in recent years. Males are now more allowed to have and show "sissy" emotions. It's also more common to see males with pink skirts, long hair and earrings.
To cure society of this situation, young boys need to be taught to be secure in who they are. If he is not secure and feel unaccepted he is likely to try to chase the male rolemodel. Those who are in the strongest need to show their malehood to others, and demand other males to approach this rolemodel, are also the ones most insecure about themselves.