One Direction as Role Models

Over at the blog of the Oxford University Press, Mark McCormack seems optimistic about the influence of the boy-band One Direction, who he says are, in a way, redefining masculinity:

One Direction are just one example of a vast number of famous men to embody this softer, more inclusive masculinity. Yet crucially, such behaviors are not limited to celebrity elites. Rather, these men both model and mirror the gendered behaviors of today’s youth. When researching for my latest book, I found that British youth are redefining masculinity for their generation. Undertaking ethnographies of three British high schools and hanging out with the male students, it was evident that the homophobia, violence and emotional illiteracy of the past have vanished for these young men. Toxic behaviors have been replaced with hugging, cuddling, and loving.

Well, that's charming — but not particularly true. The wider implication that we're witnessing a change in the meaning of masculinity is maybe true in media and entertainment, but it would be difficult to argue that such a change has materialized in the real world, too. Also, the post gives the group a little too much credit for whatever it is we're seeing, assuming it's anything at all. The message is still much the same, only with better clothes.