Softies on RTL+: When men have to hide their feelings!

Softies on RTL+: When men have to hide their feelings!

The current series "Softies", which has been seen on RTL+ since June 6, addresses the challenges of modern masculinity and the changed roles of men in society. Herbert Grönemeyer asked the question in 1984: "When is a man a man?" And the dramedy tries to answer this question by accompanying three protagonists in a men's flat share. Marvin, the sporty crush of women, Hassan, who suffers from self -doubt, and Joshi, who is unable to bind and reach for the bottle, are the focus of the narrative. These figures embody the inner conflicts with which many men are confronted today.

The action shows that these men have women in their lives, but still fight with personal problems such as mental stress, body image questions and fear of solid relationships. Instead of talking emotionally openly about your feelings, try to hide your complexes with means such as Viagra, drugs and one-night stands. It is a superficial examination of masculinity, which nevertheless draws attention to the complex questions that lurk in the background. The protagonists open emotionally in the final sequence, which indicates a quiet change.

social changes and challenges

"Softies" particularly appeals to the (male) gen z and aims to encourage young men, to stand by their feelings and also to talk about it. According to a current survey of Plan International, 18 to 35-year-olds feel weak in Germany when they show their emotions. Significant 59 percent of those surveyed state to train for a sporty body in order to stand as a "real man". This shows how deeply rooted the expectations of masculinity in our society. Despite the relaxed tonality of the series, the substance of the problem should not be underestimated. The men's world seems to be on a critical scabbard.

Not only the entertainment addresses these challenges. In society there is a step backwards in equality, which is shown in politics and social media. More and more men are producing videos in which they propagate traditional role models. The desire for clear roles in your own home, especially in times of crisis, often means that old role models gain popularity. Many men feel insecure in this change and flee in traditional behavior patterns instead of dealing with the new expectations of a "gentle masculinity".

changing role models

The studies show a contradiction: The progressive women in society, the more conservative men seem to act. This can also be seen from the phenomenon that women who strive for old role models are often reinforced, although the work in the house is often not recognized. This gives the entire discussion about masculinity an additional dimension. Toxic masculinity remains a central point that includes aggressive and protective behaviors. The reflection on one's own masculinity is often very distorted in many men, their loyalty to male buddies is often placed over their own feminist position.

Finally, it can be said that "Softies" is not only an entertaining series, but also encounters an important discourse on the complex challenges of modern masculinity. A topic that extends far beyond the screen and is of significant relevance in today's society. The acting performance and the innovative concept, which was developed by the talents of the Film University Babelsberg, show that there is also room for critical arguments about social norms in the entertainment.

For further information and detailed statistics, the Plan International Study The discussion about the crisis of masculinity are also in National Geographic . The Süddeutsche Zeitung "Softies".