Intentionally Random...

So, I would like to comment on the "masculinity" section of this article.  I agree that American media is reinforcing a childish idea of masculinity, but I don't think its having as strong an effect as you seem to indicate.  I really believe that one of the major influences on masculinity is from what women expect from men.  Let me give you an example from my life.

My wife (she's awesome) is fairly feminist.  I had always thought that her goal was to be the major "breadwinner" in the family, and for two years, she was all we had.  I had been laid off, and we moved to a new state for her to take a job.  I was still looking, but we had a 2 year old, so my job became Mr. Mom.  Now, that was a great job, and very much harder than my current one, but that's not what I want to mention.

The thing is, the whole time I was "unemployed," I felt pressure to go get a job.  I wasn't doing enough to help the family.  The thing is, most of that pressure came from women--like my mom who was always asking me when will I get a job.  "I have a job," was always my reply.  "Same one you had when I was two."  Even my wife put on pressure, though it was a different sort.  Things were never quite good enough with my household duties.  (Granted, at least half of that was really self inflicted.  I think I was feeling the same pressures that many housewives felt about making a perfect home!)  

The worst, however, was the "Mom's Club."  Now, there were some really great mom's who made me feel very welcome as the only Dad to show up.  However, it really didn't stop the uncomfortable feeling I got as many other women gave me peculiar stares.  The fact is, I felt my masculinity challenged the most by these women.  My guy friends are all computer geeks, and they could have cared less about my going to "Mom's club" meetings, as long as I had some time each month to hang out with them.

So, I guess what I am saying is, for many men, our "masculinity" is shaped by what the women in our life want from us.  Ultimately, the appeal of the strip club is that these women only want money.  We don't have to change our attitudes, or feel pressure of any kind to feel wanted by them.