Positive Masculinity and Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Abstract

Abstract Chapter 7 focuses on ‘positive masculinities’ and explores how men are encouraged to pursue healthier conceptualizations of masculinity. Since the media plays a key part in setting out cultural scripts and expectations of masculinity, this chapter then presents an analysis of the television comedy show Brooklyn Nine-Nine to examine how men use language to connect with others, build relationships, and demonstrate affiliation with friends and loved ones, subsequently subverting and destabilizing hegemonic forms of masculinity. Given that the intersection of language, masculinity, and television is a somewhat unexplored area, this chapter is important in improving our understanding of the role the media plays in promoting alternative constructions of masculinity.