“None of my friends talk about feelings. If you were hung up over a girl, they'd be like, ‘Stop being a b*tch.’”
The statement from one of the interviews in the novel demonstrates the perspective of young men regarding masculinity. Orenstein aims to highlight the idea of toxic masculinity that is fostered within the ‘locker room’ environment which further impacts general perspective. In this instance, Rob expounds on how the rapport between peers is only maintained by abiding by certain expectations regarding sexuality. In that being sensitive when handling matters involving women and sex is considered as a weak trait. This fosters the notion of not speaking about feelings around other young men which is further transferred into their sexual relationships.
“How do we talk to our children about the courage and subtlety and discipline and tenderness and tough-mindedness that it really takes to love someone else?”
The assertion by the director of 'Making Caring Common' expresses the need to change the mindset of young men in the current society. The idea of what a man is supposed to be has not been clearly conveyed to the younger generation appropriately. Young men learn how to be a man through peer interactions which have been found to foster wrong notions on personal morality and sex. The problem of sexual misconduct and indecency stems from distorted ideas of what sexuality entails; thus, the key focus is to convey sensitivity and personal morality for healthy relations.
