A lot of women have been voicing their opinions about men losing their masculinity. What we knew to be the traditional male gender role has been dismantled by a new generation of “Sassy Men”. Men, particularly black men are known for their masculinity, leadership, and strength but as of lately, it looks differently for some. Gen Z has introduced the “Sassy Man” label.
According to the Urban Dictionary, the Sassy Man Apocalypse is an outbreak of men who want to live a soft life and be treated like a princess Let’s face it, Gen Z is probably the most opinionated, individualistic, and rambunctious generation we’ve seen. Older individuals may perceive this new era of men as a product of the preceding generations. I mean, are they wrong? One thing for sure and two things for certain, it had to start from somewhere. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the elements of the evolution of urban culture. Hip Hop, male codes of ethics, black marriage rates, and single parenthood heavily influenced the type of change in the way men act now.
Let’s travel back to the early 1980s, the beginning of hip-hop. Songs like "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five had a significant impact on urban culture. During that time, people expressed frustrations with high unemployment and crime rates. Many families were receiving government assistance, with unmarried women receiving greater benefits, leading to an imbalance in support for families. Men were struggling to survive. Music shifted from focusing on survival and the advancement of Black unity to portraying a good and glamorous life. However, the same social issues persisted, and a new drug epidemic was destroying thousands of families. This was the reality for many. People looked up to rappers with gold chains, fast cars, furs, beautiful women, and the glamorization of drug kingpins as a way out of poverty.
The rate of single parenthood is currently at an all-time high, and it has significant effects on both genders, particularly individuals raised by single mothers. Women who grew up in single-parent homes were often taught to be highly independent and may struggle to express their desires for a man's care and affection. The absence of a male role model can lead women to unintentionally reject a man's willingness to help, hindering the development of a supportive partnership. Research and conversations with men have revealed that this dynamic causes a disconnect between men and women, as women may not effectively allow men to take the lead. Men who were raised by single mothers have also been greatly impacted. Often, mothers who raise boys without a male figure feel a great deal of guilt, causing them to overcompensate for the missing male figure and ultimately leading to entitled behavior in their sons. These men then often develop a strong sense of entitlement and expect the women they date to take care of them.
In the 1990s, Hip-Hop started becoming mainstream while maintaining its masculinity and raw lyrics. There were numerous crossovers during that time, followed by the Y2K era. Some memorable songs from that time include "Independent Women" by Destiny's Child and "No Scrubs" by TLC, followed by a parody called "No Pigeons" by the rap group Sporty Thieves. The period saw a back and forth of gender wars with people becoming more expressive with their frustrations towards both genders. Things started to change. People seemed to express more individuality. Things began to become more digitalized, and music started to sound more melodic. Despite ongoing social issues, music and pop culture made it seem like those problems were in the past and that people just wanted to be free and live a carefree life. Dating also became digital, where people could find love by simply sitting at their computers, filling out questionnaires, and finding people to chat with, easing insecurities for some.
I noticed that at the beginning of the 2010s, there were many platforms discussing issues faced by black males, along with a shift in male fashion. Skirts and nail polish became a trend, and it almost seems like they are no longer taboo. There was a growing rise of platforms discussing black men’s strength and their struggle to express their emotions. Although men need to express their emotions, it seems that some went overboard and publicly expressed all of their emotions. There has also been a rise in the "boss chick" phenomenon among women and an increase in adult entertainment, with constant themes that make men appear inadequate compared to women.
The Sassy Man Apocalypse presents a complex challenge that arises from multiple factors, such as , lack of good parenting, music, pop and social media culture. Unfortunately, the next generation will be heavily impacted. The state of hip hop will change due to the connection with music and social media influence and a high acceptance for people being individualistic. While this social phenomena doesn’t appear anytime soon. Neither are the growing frustrations and children who are watching thinking this is how men should be. What do you think the future of men and hip hop look like.
Read More From Tiffany T at www.rslexperience.com
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