Something for the Boys: Iron Man, Transformers, and Grand Theft Auto IV

Abstract

Three recent examples are discussed of popular culture products that cater specifically to the cultural world of boys, social types that are the created identities of young males in our society. The self-ascribed qualities of participants in the world of boys, rather than the inherent characteristics of young males, provide the content of the images of boys. These products (Iron Man, Transformers, and Grand Theft Auto IV) provide the shared content and the basis for interaction among those who find their social identities as boys in association with other identified boys. The specific qualities attributed to boys in America at this time by the boys themselves are presented.