Male Sexuality

Article Review # 103630

African-American Studies > Gender
English > Analysis
Gender and Sexuality > Gender Studies

Male Sexuality

The paper assesses an article by Charles Michael Smith 'The Politics of Penis Size (Book Review)' in "The Gay and Lesbian Review" relating to the stereotype that African-American males are "well-hung".

2,745 words () | 8 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper explain that, in Charles Michael Smith's article 'The Politics of Penis Size (Book Review)', which is a review of Scott Poulson-Bryant's book "Hung: A Meditation on the Measure of Black Men in America", the idea of the black sexual Olympian is ridiculed but Smith fails to avoid making some sweeping generalizations that the available literature cannot substantiate. The author points out, from the literature review to assess this article and book, that the myth about African-American men being "huge" and thus more "man" than Asian or Caucasian men is really a projection of deep-seated fears of inadequacy. The paper argues that, if these fears are addressed, then anxiety about the sexual prowess of black men, on the part of those who are non-black will be replaced by a more holistic view of African-American males that restores to them a measure of their full humanity.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Summary of Account
Background Research (or what the scholarly literature has to say about penis size and about black men)
Assessment of the Popular Account
Implications and Future Directions

From the Paper:

"According to Charles Michael Smith (2006) the penis is one manifestation of masculine power. Smith goes on to state that penis power is male power and that the tallest buildings, the imposing skyscrapers that dot the landscape of the modern western world, are really the ultimate phallic symbols. In short, the penis equates with all that is seen as masculine, virile, powerful, and potent. Smith, in his review of Scott Poulson-Bryant's, "Hung: A Meditation on the Measure of Black Men in America", writes that white slave-holders often justified the brutal treatment of African-American men by seizing upon the desire of the latter to assault and seize for themselves the womanhood of white females."

Sample of Sources Used:

Izgubara, C. Otutubikey. (2005). Local erotic songs and chants among rural Nigerian adolescent males. Sexuality & Culture, 9(3): 53-76.
Lee, Peter A. (2002). Genital size: a common adolescent male concern. Adolescent Medicine, 13(1): 171-180.
Lee, Peter A. (1996). Survey report: Concept of penis size. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 22(2): 131-135.
Lever, Janet, Frederick, David A., and Peplau, Letitita Anne. (2006). Does size matter? Men's and women's views on penis size across the lifespan. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 7(3): 129-143.
Sapp, Marty, Farrell Jr., Walter C., Johnson, James H., and Hitchcock, Kim. (1999). Attitudes towards rape among African American male and female college students. Journal of Counseling & Development, 77(2): 204-208.