What defines "masculinity"?

In World Lit we have discussed multiple definitions, coming up with a consensus of the stereotypical factors that contribute to masculinity. In society, we view traits such as strength, bravery, wit, honor, aggressiveness and detachment from emotion as masculine qualities or "masculinities". It is also easy to define masculinity by saying what is not considered masculine, but rather the opposite of masculine: feminine. Weakness, sensitivity, kindness, nuturance, emotiveness, and dependence are considered more feminine traits according to societal opinion. Masculinity and femininity are often considered direct opposite, and to be completely masculine, once cannot possess any feminine traits and vice versa. I do not think, however, that everything is so cut and dry.

Society tends to pigeon-hole masculinity as a male characteristic, but both men and women can possess these percieved masculine qualities. Masculinity is not a biologically predetermined characteristic and in truth, not all men are conventionally "masculine", if we are to go by typical societal consensus of masculinity, but rather have a balance of both femininity and masculinity. There are men out there who are both brave and sensitive, strong and kind, emotional and aggressive - the concepts are not so black and white. Similarly, women can be both weak and witty, or any combination of the supposed "masculine" and "feminine" characteristics. I believe that the concept of being masculine or possessing masculinity is not one that is so easily defined; there is too much gray area. Perhaps it is subjective; where one may find someody masculine, another might not depending on individual views.

If we are to go by society's typical outlook on masculinity in relation to Orwell's 1984, we will definitely find the roles reversed between Winston and Julia. In the book, she is the one who is courageous and dominating, the one who makes all of the decisions, who seems to be completely free of strong emotions. Whereas Winston is dependent upon her to make all of the decisions, he is the weak character who needs to be taken care of, he lacks bravery and strength and relies on Julia to make all of the decisions. This definitely goes to show that masculinity is not strictly a male concept. Julia certainly plays the traditional masculine role in the novel. This helps to broaden our view of masculinities, rather than have them trapped within the confines of gender. I feel that this is why it is hard to come up with a clear definition of what it means to be masculine - because it is generally spoken of in relation to males and not to people in general.

If only society could break free of the view that masculine and masculinity are terms relative only to males, we would have a much less biased definition of the concepts.