How To Be A Man

The construction of the male consumer, as discussed in Kenon Brezeale’s article, is an interesting concept that is said to have begun with the production of Esquire magazine. Supposedly the Depression diminished the “image” of the male and this magazine was built as a source to counteract this problem. What I found interesting about this idea is that the magazine established gender roles, and always presented the heightened image of the masculine male. It reinstated the idea that women were supposed to stay at home with the children and of course never hold a job at a higher status than the male. This magazine is supposed to empower males to feel better about themselves however I think it’s extremely interesting that by doing so they are also brainwashing them. “…a new kind of magazine-one that will answer the question of What to do? What to eat, what to drink, what to wear, how to play…” (231). This magazine, like many others, is now just a form of media telling its consumers how to think. This cover of Esquire magazine states, “How To Be A Man” with the ultimate icon staring back at you: George Clooney. Esquire’s goal was to create a following of men that will consume just as much as women, not to empower men and their individual qualities.