RR "Bros Before Hos": The Guy Code

“Bros Before Hos”:The Guy Code

In the article “Bros Before Hos’ :The Guy Code” by Michael Kimmel, he discusses his research he did with young men, ages sixteen to twenty-six. He writes about the young’s men behavior in other to prove their masculinity among other man. He discusses who the young man get the ideas from, that makes them be a man. Kimmel believes that guys are constantly watching how well other man perform, and they are seen each other as “Gender police”. He also explains how the boys psychological developmental starts to build the idea in them to be a tough man.

According to Kimmel “The Guy Code” is compose of four different rules. The first one is call “No Sissy”, this mean that guys should not show weakness, effeminate, or gay. Guys can’t talk or use femininity words. If you show weakness, you can be considering as gay.  The second one is call “Be a Big Wheel”. This refers to have the power and be a successful guy in the definition of masculinity. You want to be at the top and always taking the lead.  You always want to be tough and always finish before the rest of the man. You want to be the boss. The third ones refer to “Be a Sturdy Oak”. This refers as to be strongly building man to be ready for any situation to come. You have to react appropriate to the situation. You can’t even show your weakness or emotions. Always stay hard as a rock.    

            I believe and have experience all of rule, and I think the most common one I hear in my culture is the rule “No Sissy Stuff”.  A lot of my guy friends call fags other guys because of the way they dress. For example they think guys that do their eye-brows are gay, or guys that shave their legs are gay to. Like Kimmel mentioned, “The Guy Code” is psychological developmental by fathers of brothers when kids are just as young as tree years old. I hear and see this in my culture. In Mexican culture, fathers tell their little kids many times “why are you crying? Aren’t you a man (macho) only little girls cry”. As we grow older we start experiencing the rule “Be a Sturdy Oak”. We are expected to be strong and brave. Never be coward, and be ready for any situation to come. We also call it Machismo.  A macho man supposed to have control at the house and most of the stuff needs to be done with her authorization. He has no fear, and never run from his problems no matter how big they are. Kimmel believes that this all of the rules fit like a comfortable straightjacket. I think that most of the guys can identify with at least one rule. You either follow some of the rules or else you might have a hard time in the world out there, and people might take advantage of you.