Manhood: The Bare Reality

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These selected quotes (in italics and used with permission of publisher) were moments that made me think about my own experiences growing up as a boy, adolescent, and man and how we can shape the future of our sex. The concept of “traditional manhood” As I read the book, I saw many interesting things, and I’m not even referring to the multitude of penises (there is also a strong narrative of what word to use when referring to the penis as throughout the book; I settled for the anatomical term in this piece). I don't think one person can have the final say on what masculinity is, so instead there are 100 men's stories and voices. I don't think a clear definition of masculinity is required but I hope it gives readers more compassion and kindness for men in their lives and really raises some questions."

I’m not going to weigh in too much on these quotes since they do an excellent job of speaking for themselves. While my commentary is absent, I made it a point to include them here to show that many many are aware of the dichotomy of being raised in the “traditional manhood” eras as we enter into the “transformational manhood” time. The concept of “transformational manhood” All one hundred of these interviews are intimate and exploratory and give us candid, honest and sometimes difficult insights in what it means to be a man in the 21st Century. Manhood shows us the spectrum of ‘normal’, revealing men’s penises and bodies in all their diversity and glory, helping in dispelling body image anxiety and myths. A lot more men feel a sense of shame or anxiety about their size, or an aspect of their performance, than I would have thought. What really moved me is how much that shame and inadequacy had bled into different parts of their life.” Dodsworth says the photos took only about 10 seconds to shoot, but that she would interview the men for a much longer period of time to document it in the book. She says that "once somebody bares their body, they are much more likely to bare their soul."Thus opens Manhood: The Bare Realityby Laura Dodsworth. This book is a sequel of sorts to The Bare Reality, the original book in the series where 100 women had their breasts photographed and shared what it meant to them to be a woman. In this edition, penises took the stage as men shared their stories of what manhood meant to them (including Band of Ballers alumni Matt Wakefield). This is the heart and soul of the book. While there were a few quotes that reinforces “traditional manhood” concepts, they were shared by men who had their penises photographed a few minutes earlier and were sharing some of their deepest and darkest moments in their lives. (As I was typing this, I really had to wonder – were the interviews taped while they were still naked or did they get dressed first?) Dodsworth took different approaches depending on who she was talking to. “The way I’d handle an interview with a vicar would be completely different to how I’d handle and interview with a BDSM practitioner. One thing I asked absolutely everybody was how they felt about their penis, and every interview started like that, unless they went off in their own direction.” The chill factor

Just as Bare Reality: 100 women, their breasts, their storiespresented the un-airbrushed truth about breasts for women, Manhood: The Bare Realityshows us the spectrum of ‘normal’, revealing men’s penises and bodies in all their diversity and glory, dispelling body image anxiety and myths. This book is quite informative and it is really cool that these men were able to expose themselves and to hear their honesty about their feelings and their lives. It is neat to see the changing of old patriarchic thought patterns to something that is more supportive towards themselves and women. Hearing these men’s stories was an absolute privilege and honour and I am very grateful for the experience. I’m excited this book share with you. I don’t think people will have heard men talk so honestly about so many fascinating subjects. Masculinity is associated with being ‘strong and silent’, yet here is a book of 100 men talking frankly and intimately about their manhood in both senses. men bared all for my second nude project, ‘Manhood’. From veteran to vicar, from porn addict to prostate cancer survivor, 100 men participated in the ultimate photographic categorisation of their manhood. And finally, I found it really delightful to read perspectives from people across the lifespan, all the way up. The book opens with an interview with a 92-year-old. I found that the interviews from older folks to be the ones that most often caused me laughter and delight. Wonderful. And I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have a way of hearing those stories other than through a book like this (or not until I'm 92 myself), so, thanks Laura.As men, we are told to be have a cool, calm exterior, never cry, brush things off. But you need to have emotion.”

In writing a men’s health blog, I always try to be careful to not act like men have been systematically oppressed. Every ABSOT post runs through a review process by my Editor-in-Chief, Katie, and we’ve had numerous conversations about making sure that I’m keeping my eye on the ball with regards to the overall scope of society in regards to men and privilege. While I do get very passionate about men’s health, the truth is that men have done much of this damage to themselves by perpetuating harmful stereotypes and narratives. My boy is very in touch with how he feels and I encourage that. I think it’s important that as fathers we step up. At the moment, in the collective… there’s more discussion about self-development.” Each interview took between 30 and 60 minutes and no two were quite alike. “Some people come into an interview and they don’t need questions, they will just talk and some people really need the questions to help them open up.” From smooth Barbie dolls to internet porn, girls and women grow up with a very narrow view of what they should look like, even though in reality there is an enormous range. Womanhood departs from the ‘ideal vagina’ and presents the gentle un-airbrushed truth, allowing us to understand and celebrate our diversity. Masculinity is such a big topic. I asked a lot of men, "what does it mean for you to be a man" - and their answers ranged from "tall, strong, hairy" to "being a provider, looking after your family" to "just being a good person. It's the same as being a woman".

The old way of bringing up boys, whereby you are not really supposed to express feelings much, ends up with men doing odd things, and those energies can come out in other ways which are unhealthy. Talking and expression are a big part of healing.”