Intimidating Standards Lead to Depression

 In Phil Kaye's poem "Strength, In Four Parts" challenges the masculine idea that the more physically big and strong you are, the more 'manly' you are. I like how the author described how people talk about going to the gym in hardcore terms, but in reality those terms are a "cheap plastic language shed/for something more lithe" (Kaye 56-57). Kaye challenges the necessity for men to be physically strong in order to validate themselves. He conveys a society where men are not judged about their character based on their physical appearance. In The Barbie Movie, we see how men are more valuable to the Barbies when they are entertained or enlightened by their physical attributes or skill. When in comes to playing sports, Ken tells Barbie, "Let me show you how" (Barbie) because men have more value when they are athletic, strong, and talented. The problem with this ideology is that men are often depressed when they are unable to meet the physical standards to be a man. In today's world, social media highlights the physically strong men that leaves many other men with something to be desired, which makes them feel that they are worth less then physically strong men. The Barbie Movie challenges this idea by showing that this pillar of masculinity leads to violence between men as shown in the battle of the Kens. The poem challenges this premise by showing Kaye's feelings of not living up to the standard did not define him as a person, even though his childhood consisted of moments where he felt excluded because of his physical traits. As a society, if we can teach men, and also women, that you are great just as you are, and you do not need to compare yourself to other people. As a personal mindset, I try to compare myself to the person I was in the past to track how I am improving in aspects of my life and not compare myself to possibly unrealistic expectations that validate me as a man. People will be less depressed when they avoid comparing themselves with others, especially with physical attributes.