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Masculinity on Every Channel: The Development and Demonstration of American Masculinity of the Postwar Period via 1960s Television

Willocks, Remy M
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9370-6795
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1574024599256381

Abstract Details

2019, Master of Arts, Miami University, History.
Throughout the first twenty years of television's history, the programs that aired simultaneously reflected and shaped American society based upon sets of values and ideals, specifically regarding gender roles. While the representation of women deviated from the traditional femininity of the idyllic housewife to career-oriented individuals, the portrayal of men increasingly reinforced traditional or hegemonic; masculine traits and core values via the depiction of strong, manly protagonists. Even as masculinity shifted against the backdrop of the Cold War from rugged individualism to gentle yet stern breadwinners for families, television series continued to reaffirm the desire of men to acquire their manhood by fitting into the ever- changing mold. The three television programs of The Twilight Zone (1959-1964), The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1966), and Star Trek (1966-1969) each demonstrate different facets of masculinity in different contexts. The Twilight Zone uses the genre of horror to visually present men's fears of never obtaining manhood via the punishment of unmanly men. The Dick Van Dyke Show employs situational comedy as a means of reestablishing men within the home as the heads of the household. Star Trek, through the genre of science-fiction, displays traditional masculinity and its values holding firm in a futuristic society.
Nishani Frazier (Advisor)
Erik Jensen (Committee Member)
Kerry Hegarty (Committee Member)
87 p.
Film Studies; Gender; Gender Studies; History; Modern History; Motion Pictures
Masculinity; television; gender; 20th Century; film studies; Dick Van Dyke; Star Trek; Twilight Zone; American masculinity

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Willocks, R. M. (2019). Masculinity on Every Channel: The Development and Demonstration of American Masculinity of the Postwar Period via 1960s Television [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1574024599256381

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Willocks, Remy. Masculinity on Every Channel: The Development and Demonstration of American Masculinity of the Postwar Period via 1960s Television. 2019. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1574024599256381.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Willocks, Remy. "Masculinity on Every Channel: The Development and Demonstration of American Masculinity of the Postwar Period via 1960s Television." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1574024599256381

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1574024599256381
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© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.