The perceived masculinity of heavy drinkers in the context of fraternity members.

(2) Citation
Iwamoto, Derek Kenji, et al. "“Man-Ing” Up And Getting Drunk: The Role Of Masculine Norms,
     Alcohol Intoxication And Alcohol-Related Problems Among College Men." Addictive Behaviors
     36.9 (2011): 906-911. Academic Search Premier. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.

(3) Summary
This research examines the relationship between heavy drinking, "risk taking" behavior, controlling women, and violence, and how they affect societies perception of masculinity and manliness with an emphasis on how fraternity membership affects these factors. In general, all of these behaviors contribute to the perceived notion of being a man. Much of these behaviors are promoted and more prevalent in Greek culture and as such are associated with the perceived peer norm of masculinity. With increased alcohol consumption, risky behavior, gender dominance and violent behavior comes an increased perception of masculinity.

(4) Authors
Derek Kenji Iwamoto, Alice Cheng, Christina S. Lee, Stephanie Takamatsu, Derrick Gordon

As with similar scholarly articles I am citing, the fact that this research has been peer reviewed by the scientific community lends validity to the argument and points of this study. This research has a very large sample size (close to 800 undergraduates) and as such the sample findings lend deep insight into the perception of masculinity among college students and how differences in behavior can add or subtract to the idea of masculinity.

(5) Key Terms

Perceived peer norms-
The percieved peer norm is the way in which the general population of college students comes to understand and identify masculinity based on behavior. Activities that one participates in or qualities that one possesses culminate in the perceived peer norm of an individual.

 Perceived masculine norms-
Masculine behaviorism, including binge drinking, sexual promiscuity, and risk taking, all of which contribute to an increased perception of manliness among college culture.

(6) Quotes [Citation (P = Paragraph)]

 

"According to masculine norms theory (Courtenay, 2000 and Levant and Richmond, 2007), men who are able to display all these attributes are deemed manly, and those who are unable to drink “up” to this standard are considered impotent or less of a man (Lemle & Mishkind, 1989). (P2 of masculine Norms)

Increased alcohol consumption is generally perceived as a masculine or manly quality, as indicated by this quote. The perceived masculine norm of an individual is enhanced by adopting certain behaviors, one of which is heavy drinking. College culture generally accepts that men get drunk, and do so often. 

"Two well-established risk factors of drinking to intoxication and alcohol-related consequences among men are fraternity status and perceived peer norms (or the individual's perception of how many drinks their peer-group members consume on a daily basis) (Capone, Wood, Borsari, & Laird, 2007). Fraternity members tend to drink more alcoholic beverages on a typical drinking day, engage in higher rates of problematic drinking and report more alcohol-related problems when compared to non-fraternity members (Scott-Sheldon, Carey, & Carey, 2008)." (P4 of discussion)

This quote shows the relationship between binge drinking, which Fraternity membership generally affects, and the percieved masculinity of an individual. In general, heavy drinkers, especially fraternity members, are perceived to have a higher perceived masculine norm. This not only indicates that the the heavy drinking among male college students is associated with manliness, but that Fraternity membership promotes this type of masculinity and perceived masculine norm.

 
"The unique and significant contribution of this study is the elucidation of the distinct relationship between masculine norms, problematic drinking, and related consequences" (P4 of Discussion)

This study clearly links the perception of masculinity with drinking behavior. Furthermore, individuals with increased masculine norms are more likely to develop alcohol related problems. Since fraternity membership, in general, facilitates this type of behavior and perception of masculinity it also comes with an increased likelihood to develop alcohol dependency and related issues. 

(7) Value
This article links more directly to my topic than any other that I have explored. Being that I am examining the sociocultural perception and form of masculinity that Fraternity membership produces, this is a very pertinent article. I wish to examine the behavior of Fraternity members and how the activities promoted by Fraternities, such as binge drinking and sexual promiscuity effect the development of the men that pay them dues. This article objectively examines the factors that contribute to an increased sense of masculinity, all of which align with the activities Fraternities facilitate. Furthermore this article examines the problematic nature of these behaviorism which in turn are a product of Fraternities themselves.