To become a man : masculinity on men’s health covers and the construction of masculinity in Singapore.

• Main Author: Koh, Yiming.
• Other Authors: Tam Chen Hee
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Mass media::Media effects
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/15195
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This paper examines the relationship between Men’s Health’s portrayal of masculinity on its covers and Singaporean men’s definitions of masculinity. Data is obtained through qualitative content analysis and focus group discussions with eight adult men. Analyses suggest Men’s Health’s portrays a particular masculinity- patriarchal masculinity. Through consistent adherence to distinct design patterns and content, Men’s Health promotes hegemonic masculinity in Singapore. Furthermore, the respondents do not possess a homogenous masculinity since they construct their masculinities differently in response to existing gender relations. Nevertheless, preliminary analyses illustrated that respondents are influenced by Men’s Health’s portrayal of masculinity.