The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 38, No. 2 & Volume 39, No. 1 - 129

Trial and Error

and critical incidents. Findings will be connected to current theory and concepts related to men’s identity development.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
seth’s experiences with masculinity are presented in three stages: precollege socialization, time at his first institution (rVu), and time at midwestern university. rather than separating the results and discussion, we are presenting an integration of the findings from this one case with contemporary research and theory regarding men’s development. seth’s lived experiences shed light on the pressures of identity development and how he arrived at a turning point that impacted his performance of masculinity.

these coaches continually pushed players to meet their “ultimate goal,” which seth described as strong, brute force. coaches threw around words such as “pansy” and “fag” in order to push players to perfection. due to seth’s strong fear of disappointing others, this language made him push himself harder and

“Guys hear the voices of the men in their lives—fathers, coaches, brothers, grandfathers, uncles, priests—to inform their ideas of masculinity.” These coaches continually pushed players to meet their “ultimate goal,” which Seth described as strong, brute force .

Precollege Socialization: Male Boot Camp, Athletics, Alcohol, and Women
seth received many messages early in life about what it means to be a man. His earliest recollection of masculinity came from television shows like Batman and Power Rangers, which portrayed masculinity in terms of strength and protection. seth’s understanding of the dominant ideologies of masculinity would quickly accelerate in high school, largely through his involvement in athletics, his experience of the pressures of alcohol, and his recognition of the status achieved through women. When asked to reflect on where he heard strong messages about masculinity, seth first noted his high school football coaches. this is consistent with Kimmel’s (2008) reflections after his interview for Guyland: “the response was consistent: guys hear the voices of the men in their lives—fathers, coaches, brothers, grandfathers, uncles, priests—to inform their ideas of masculinity” (p. 47).

harder. His shot-put coach used similar language, often calling players a “pansy ass” or “faggot.” When the language was directed at a teammate it was humorous, but when the language was directed at him it quickly became a challenge to his status as a man. leverenz (1986) illustrates the power behind the word “fag” when he explains that “the word ‘faggot’ has nothing to do with homosexual experience or even with fears of homosexuals. it comes out of the depths of manhood: a label of ultimate contempt for anyone who seems sissy, untough, uncool” (p. 455). seth’s peers also played an influential role in shaping his understanding of masculinity. One of the key instruments in this process
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The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 38, No. 2 & Volume 39, No. 1

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 38, No. 2 & Volume 39, No. 1