Self Help Literature By Sandra K Dolby - 2345 Words

The aim of this research is to explore selected self-help literature, mostly aimed towards the young male demographic, and how they approach and they effect ideas around masculinity. Over the past ten to fifteen years self-help movements, programs and more notably books have become increasingly popular. Although this research isn’t aimed exclusively to compare and contrast women’s and men’s self-help literature, the comparisons that may arise throughout this essay may have the capacity to be illuminating. This project will examine just how self-help literature, mostly targeted towards men, effect ideas around masculinity and why this matters and is relevant. Firstly, to maintain continuity, accuracy, and the integrity of my findings we must first outline what defines literature as â€Å"self-help†. Sandra K Dolby writes self-help texts are texts â€Å"offering advice and reflection on topics as diverse as how to achieve physiological well-being, how to be effective yet serene in the workplace, why the laws of physics are part of God’s plan, how to get along with your mate or with nasty bosses, how to reduce stress and eat and exercise for optimal health, how to save the plane, why to save the planet.†(2005) another quote explains â€Å"Self-help literature is an extremely popular genre which can be found in abundance at any bookstore in Western society. Figures indicate that Americans spent $563 million on self-help books in 2000 (Paul, 2001, p. 60).† Also â€Å"many people use self-help