Dartmouth Masculinity

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At the Alumni Gym, there is some clear gender discrepancies regarding workouts. I have noticed that guys tend to go for heavy lifts and mass-building exercises much more often than women. Men tend to prefer focusing on upper body strength and occupy, the dumbbells, bench press, and arm machines while more women are on treadmills. Size and “getting big/yolked/swole” are all more associated with a masculine identity, while “slim or lean” are associated more with a feminine identity. Strength and athletic ability tend to fit with the male gender role. Among my friends we often jokingly comment on each other’s build and use “massive” as a compliment in a joking manner. Physical strength is often looked up to among men especially. I personally feel that part of my masculine identity involves physical ability to serve and fit a certain body type. Among frats, there is a term to describe popularity. Broadly speaking, “A-side” frats are hard-partying and privileged, while “B-side” is the other side of the privilege spectrum. Being able to drink a lot is looked up to. Those that can handle a lot of alcohol are called “heavyweight,” and those that cannot handle as much are called “lightweight.” Being “heavyweight” is a compliment among the masculine identity in frat culture.