This document profiles boxer Bobby Boulders and discusses his views on masculinity and violence in culture. It describes Boulders' childhood influences and upbringing where he was taught that being a man meant being physically dominant. The article questions what message Boulders would like to send to his young male fans about violence and how his celebrity could help address issues with the culture of masculinity. Boulders acknowledges the culture promotes violence too highly and says he could do more school outreach on the topic.

2. Here is our fan of the week

3. Bobby Boulders Speaks Boxing’s biggest star talks about his kids, his childhood, and why the culture of violence he is a part of can have negative social effects. Driving through one of Boston’s wealthier suburbs, I can already see the house of boxer Bobby Boulders, and it’s massive. The driveway, the front yard, the Hummer, and the house itself. All massive. Somehow this is not surprising for a man who makes his living out-muscling and destroying every opponent in his path. It’s not only the size of his property that is intimidating, but the size and reputation of the man himself. Over the past year Bobby has become an iconic American hero, like a real life Rocky Balboa. His role within a patriarchal American society is simple to understand – he is the ultimate male figure. American males of all ages idolize this man for his ability to physically dominate anyone who challenges him. And while in boxing this makes him a success and entertaining to watch, for the 99.9% of us who are not boxers by trade, “ I think it’s an issue with the whole culture. From cradle to grave boys and men are brought up like I was, told to be tough and dominant. “

4. for the 99.9% of us who are not boxers by trade, it raises interesting questions. Why do men in our country feel that violence and physical dominance are such desirable traits? And further than that, what does this violent male culture do to our children, both girls and boys? I sat down with Bobby and tried to find out. Who influenced you as a child? Well, boxers and football players like everyone else I suppose. I was always a big kid, and it seemed natural that at some point I should, as a man, use that size to beat someone’s ass. My father was another big influence. He taught me early on what it meant to be a man. And what did he say being a man meant? He said it meant being willing and able to deal with anyone who came across your path. It doesn’t matter if it’s an opponent in the ring or a guy just eying you the wrong way in a bar. You gotta be ready. Didn’t that advice kind of have a backlash for you, as you were arrested as a teenager for hospitalizing a man in a bar? Yeah I suppose… but the point is still the same. He told me, being a man means being able to dominate. Do you feel like it has affected you at all, the fact that your childhood was so centered on violence? Maybe a little, I mean for awhile it felt like I couldn’t have any kind of meaningful relationship because my whole existence was about fighting. As I’ve grown older I’ve eventually learned to kept fighting relegated to my professional life. But for a long time I struggled to keep that part of me from taking over my whole personality. Luckily I’ve entered a profession that lets me get paid for releasing that violent side of me.

5. So what do you say to the millions of boys who aspire to be like you? I mean they all can’t grow up to be professional boxers. I tell ‘em to be all they can be, and don’t hurt anyone unless someone pays you for it. So, if they can’t become a boxer become a hit-man or a bouncer? Nah you know that’s not what I mean. Yes, but how about I phrase the question differently. You, just by being yourself and famous, are part of a much larger patriarchal ideology that says, “Boys should be violent, dominant, and tough”. However, we see daily reports of young men killing each other and there is a huge rate of male violence towards females. I’m not saying you are the root of all these problems, but in light of this cultural issue what message would you like to send to your young male fans ? Well obviously I don’t condone street violence or domestic abuse. I would never raise my hand against any of my loved ones, least of all my wife. But I see what you’re getting at. I guess my honest response was that our culture really does value violence too highly, and I offer myself as an example of that. Now I’m not mad about it because it’s gotten me paid, but it is an issue that needs to be dealt with. How would you propose dealing with it? Well I think it’s an issue with the whole culture. From cradle to grave boys and men are brought up like I was, told to be tough and dominant. If you’re gonna change all that you have to change the toys kids play with, how men are advertised to, messages from movies, television, music…pretty much everything involves violence in some form now that I come to think of it. Sports too. Continued on pg. 5 >

6. I agree. Now I know you have two teenage daughters. What do you think about the young men they hang out with? Do they seem to be products of this dominant, violent culture? Not all of them, although one guy the other day got me thinking about how men treat women though. My daughter comes to me all angry saying how her boyfriend was trying to convince her that she didn’t need to go to college and how he was the man and he could make the money. That got me angry. And why is that? Because my daughter is an intelligent girl, and she should go to college. It pissed me off, seeing a kid trying to tell her not to do something. My daughters are both real bright, and a lot more level-headed than their father too. So what do you think about the fact that you play a part in the culture that these boys grow up in? I mean, I’m just one man, living my life the best I know how. Understandable, and I’m not suggesting that you yourself can change a worldview that, as you put it, is ingrained in boys from cradle to grave. But certainly your celebrity could be used to play some role? Well I already do a bunch of charity work, but I suppose I could do more. I mean I fight like 4 times a year, its not like I don’t have the time. I could start going to schools, telling the kids “If boxing’s for you, boy or girl, go for it. But don’t be like me and have that violence run so much of your life.” And that’s the truth. Boxing’s given me a lot, but the way I was raised and the attitude I had for a long time took a lot away from me too. A big part of that was my youth. Playing with GI Joes and fake guns as a kid, seeing all the big football players and boxers getting famous and rich. Our culture does a lousy job of contextualizing fame. I guess I could give changing that a shot.

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