"Understanding the critical years between 16 and 26"--Jacket. Includes bibliographical references (pages 291-316) and index.

Profiles American males between the ages of sixteen and twenty-six, offering insight into their belief systems, relationships, and preferences, in a report that also discusses the sources of violent and deviant behaviors. Welcome to Guyland -- "What's the rush?" : Guyland as a new stage of development -- "Bros before hos" : the guy code -- High school : boot camp for Guyland -- The rites of almost-men : binge drinking, fraternity hazing, and the elephant walk -- Sports crazy -- Boys and their toys : Guyland's media -- Babes in Boyland : pornography -- Hooking up : sex in Guyland -- Predatory sex and party rape -- Girls in Guyland : eyes on the guys -- "Just guys." The passage from adolescence to adulthood was once clear. Today, growing up has become more complex and confusing, as young men drift casually through college and beyond - hanging out, partying, playing with tech toys, watching sports. But beneath the appearance of a simple extended boyhood, a more dangerous social world has developed, far away from the traditional signposts and cultural signals that once helped boys navigate their way to manhood - a terrority Michael Kimmel has identified as "Guyland." In mapping the troubling social world where men are now made, Kimmel offers a view into the minds and times of America's sons, brothers, and boyfriends, and he works toward redefining what it means to be a man today - and tomorrow. Only by understanding this world and this life stage we can enable young men to chart their own paths, stay true to themselves, and emerge safely from Guyland as responsible and fully formed male adults. -- from back cover.