Boys Will Be Boys Essay Example

The phrase ¨boys will be boys¨ has recently been in contention as studies have revealed that 97 percent of women in the UK are victims of sexual assault. This saying has been used to dismiss the sexually lewd and aggressive behavior of young men when they participate in what is deemed as ¨locker-room talk.¨ When boys are taught that it is acceptable to be crude and violent, they are programmed to believe that being a ¨real man¨ is attached to being sexually aggressive. While conservatives argue that raising boys in a ¨traditional¨ manner is healthy and upholds conventionality in the family unit, feminists view this as a contributor to sexual assault and toxic masculinity. Is the phrase ¨boys will be boys¨ having a detrimental effect on society? 

This issue is compelling to me because I am angered and saddened by it. As a young girl, I had to take self-defense classes and carry pepper spray while my male counterparts were not receiving an education on the importance of consent and respecting women. When I saw that 97 percent of women in the UK are victims of sexual assault, I wanted to find solutions for reconstructing the way boys are taught to express masculinity. I am also passionate about this issue because while boys are encouraged by society to express their sexuality from a young age, girls are taught to suppress their sexuality and are shamed for embracing it. 

I know that deeming ¨locker room talk¨ as acceptable has led boys to feel that they can get away with being sexually aggressive. For instance, tapes of the former president of the United States were leaked in which he spoke inappropriately about groping a woman. He dismissed this as being¨ locker room talk,¨ and the incident was quickly brushed under the rug. When boys are raised hearing phrases such as ¨locker room talk¨ and ¨boys will be boys,¨ they develop an unhealthy perception of their masculinity and feel that it is acceptable to act crudely. 

I need to complete research on how many families, teachers, coaches, and communities are still adopting the ¨boys will be boys” attitude towards raising their sons and shaping young men. I also need to research whether this approach towards raising boys correlates with these young men becoming sexual predators. Additionally, I need to do thorough research on whether raising young men in this manner develops toxic masculinity. Finally, I need to research any proposed solutions given for how society can dismantle this harmful structure.