Alan G. Miller

AS defined in the dictionary, a myth is a story of unknown age, at least partly traditional, that ostensibly relates to historical events usually of such a character as to serve to explain some practice, belief, institution, or natural phenomenon. This definition clearly describes the function of the concept of Masculinity which is the concern of this paper. To facilitate the sharing of my ideas I will present an overview that will raise more questions than it will supply answers. Let us acknowledge from the outset the problems I will raise are of a sort on which we must continue to work with increasing vigor.

The sexual mythologies are coming under increasingly intense scrutiny and this paper touches on some highlights of my study and consideration. Each reader will have the task of discovering how my comments fit in with his experience. It was with such a feeling of mutual interest and stimulation that this paper was prepared.

First it would be well to understand the purpose of myths in general: myths, as the above definition noted, serve to explain some practice, belief, or institution. To whom? To the uninitiated — and I know of nothing more uninitiated or with more complexity and potential than a new born child. It is from his nascent state that a human being must assimilate enough culture, knowledge, and wherewithal to make his own mark. Three score and ten is often not enough time and yet a generation is considered but 20 to 25 years. It is of never ending suprise and elation to me that people do as well as they do; however, my more pragmatic view is that we are not doing anywhere near as well as we had better, if we are to survive. It is during this long, long period of maturation that myths serve to indoctrinate the young into the roles they are to play in later life. This is particularly true in a stable, traditional culture where what went before would give one a clue as to what might follow. The traditional culture that existed for Man continued from the t