Denigrate (verb): to attack the reputation of : defame.
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary (online)
“But these cultural activities are often denigrated as un-masculine by preadolescent and adolescent boys.” This quote is found in Andrew Reiner’s Teaching Men To Be Emotionally Honest. Prior to the quote, sociologist have noticed that boys who participate in music, art, drama and foreign language tend to have higher grades than the boys who don’t participate in them. That is why this quote tells us that these activities “attack the reputation of” what it means to be masculine. Masculinity standards were set by young boys who were taught by their parents, particularly their fathers or other male role models.
Diana Galvez
