Examining Masculinity 'The Lasso Way'
Research Mentor(s)
Stephanie Gomez
Description
More often than not, society’s expectations of the ideal man are rooted in the belief that traits such as strength and sensitivity are mutually exclusive—as a result, men are encouraged to refrain from seemingly feminine behavior as often as possible. I argue that one example of media that is deviating from these representations of masculinity and portrays men in a progressive way is the series Ted Lasso. The show, which premiered on Apple TV+ in 2020, is centered on Ted Lasso, an American football coach who becomes the head coach of an English football (soccer) team despite knowing nothing about the sport. The series focuses on the relationships that Ted cultivates with his coaching staff and players by being vulnerable with them and proving to them how much he cares about their self-improvement, despite enduring several complications in the process. In my essay, I ask: How are men portrayed in Ted Lasso and how do these portrayals contribute to new versions of masculinity? Through a close textual analysis of the show, I argue that the series introduces newer, non-toxic versions of masculinity which are noticeable within the show’s portrayals of men’s friendships, relationships, and mental health struggles.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
May 2022
End Date
May 2022
Location
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
Department
CHSS - Communication Studies
Genre/Form
student projects; posters
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Examining Masculinity 'The Lasso Way'
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
More often than not, society’s expectations of the ideal man are rooted in the belief that traits such as strength and sensitivity are mutually exclusive—as a result, men are encouraged to refrain from seemingly feminine behavior as often as possible. I argue that one example of media that is deviating from these representations of masculinity and portrays men in a progressive way is the series Ted Lasso. The show, which premiered on Apple TV+ in 2020, is centered on Ted Lasso, an American football coach who becomes the head coach of an English football (soccer) team despite knowing nothing about the sport. The series focuses on the relationships that Ted cultivates with his coaching staff and players by being vulnerable with them and proving to them how much he cares about their self-improvement, despite enduring several complications in the process. In my essay, I ask: How are men portrayed in Ted Lasso and how do these portrayals contribute to new versions of masculinity? Through a close textual analysis of the show, I argue that the series introduces newer, non-toxic versions of masculinity which are noticeable within the show’s portrayals of men’s friendships, relationships, and mental health struggles.