Personal Experience:
There are many factors that contribute to our understanding and view of male identity in today's society.  Early  interactions with family and friends have a great influence on our sense of identity of self and others.  Messages about what is expected in terms of thoughts, feelings and behaviors are blended together with an individual's instincts and tendencies.

Some of these messages are calculated and intentional, others are more subtle and sometimes create the opposite impression of the desired result.  In any case, our personal experiences and interactions form the initial baseline of our perspective when considering identity issues.

Personality Development:
The fields of Personality and Developmental Psychology have much to offer in understanding today's man. Certain developmental theories can lend a perspective that organizes our thinking and helps to guide the questions we ask as we explore male identity.

These theories also give us a template to use in assessing our own development and the development of others. A greater understanding of how personalities develop helps us to identify where and how obstacles can block healthy development.  The development of personality and identity are very integrated processes and essential in understanding the male experience.

Cultural Factors:
As factors of race, ethnic background, and sexual identity become more mixed into the shared culture, a greater understanding of the process of forming one's own identity will help that person better understand the struggles of others.  Likewise, through examining the experiences of others very different than ourselves, we begin to understand the identity development process through a greater social conscience.  This understanding will hopefully lead to greater acceptance others, the roles they serve, and the identities they share.

Political Influences:
In recent years, several different groups have begun to organize in an attempt to influence changes in how men are viewed and the expectations placed on them. These groups have various agendas and membership and are a definite factor in current political landscape. It is important for someone seeking to understand male identity in today's society to learn about the issues being raised by these groups and the effect their activities may produce.

Media Influences:
Before this century, our personal relationships with parents, friends, family members, preachers and teachers provided us with our view of the world. Today, television, radio, newspapers and magazines, the Internet and roadside billboards each contribute to our view of the world. Considering which of these images have influenced us most and which have had a great effect on others in defining norms is essential to our understanding of male identity.

What Next:
What does any of this have to do with taking a course at DePaul's School for New Learning?  These are some of the topics to be explored in the course, "Male Identity in Transition".  You can find out more about the course by returning the course Home Page.