Not So Pure and Simple

The themes of The Construction of Masculinity and The Sexual Double Standard are central to the novel and discussed here together because they are closely related. Masculinity is entwined with the sexual double standard because the double standard assumes certain traits are inherently masculine: the drive for sex, the sense of sexual conquest, and the objectification of women for the purpose of sex. This form of masculinity is toxic because it reduces women to objects to gratify men; it devalues women’s choices, and it denies that women are equal partners. The double standard shames women for behavior that is applauded in men. For example, women who pursue sex or make clear they enjoy sex are labeled “sluts” or worse. The teenage mothers in the novel bear the burden of raising their children and bear the shame of their situation while the fathers of their babies escape accountability. Cressie works to dismantle this type of toxic masculinity on her YouTube channel; MJ is a prominent example of healthy masculinity, and he acts as a role model to the teenage boys.

Early on, Del describes how Green Creek High School is known for the nine girls who got pregnant the previous year in a strange fluke. Local media describes the phenomenon as a “pregnancy pact” though the teenagers themselves know the cause was boredom and opportunity. The disrespectful nickname of the Baby Getters is used until it’s banned in the conclusion—but it’s used to harass only the girls, not the boys who were involved. Sick of the unequal treatment of the teen mothers versus the fathers, Taylor speaks up against how males aren’t judged like her or expected to care for the babies they helped create, and she reveals the secret that Colossus is the father: “My baby’s daddy doesn’t want to take any responsibility for what we did together. […] But I’m tired of all y’all acting like I’m some whore, or I made my son in a lab” (98). Cressie and Taylor’s conversation demonstrates the intersection of toxic masculinity and the sexual double standard. Because Colossus doesn’t accept responsibility for his child until the conclusion months later, he is an example of the construction of masculinity; he was taught to “get some’’ any way he could, which included him cheating on Kiera multiple times. His infidelity led to his equal participation creating a baby with Taylor. While Colossus isn’t blamed, Taylor is shamed, ridiculed, and expected to raise her baby alone.

Like Taylor, Shianne experiences The Sexual Double Standard due to her situation with baby Zoey; the newborn’s father isn’t in her life at all. He denied being the father and implied Shianne was sleeping around. Though Shianne and her family are wealthy and don’t want Zoey’s dad to be a bad influence on her, the father’s actions convey that males are entitled to sex but not the consequences. Like Cressie’s teachings, Shianne tries to make Del aware that he’s been dishonest and chauvinistic:

‘Since you have your gripes about us girls and what we don’t see right in front of us, let me put you on to one of my pet peeves about boys. Warped perspective […] When you’re not pleased, we’re crazy, or juvenile, or stupid, or not worth your time. […] You spent all that time in [Kiera’s] church activities, doing pledges and praying, and whatever else you thought she liked. Things that ain’t really you. But, because you were so nice when you were doing that fake shit, she owes you something, right? Mason’s an asshole for talking about what him and her did in private, but he never pretended to be anything but what he is. Surprise, surprise, honesty worked. Who you really mad at here, Del?’ (326).

She wants Del to find empathy and look at things from the female perspective, instead of just through his entitled male viewpoint. That Kiera doesn’t want him or act the way he believes she should doesn’t give Del the right to be upset or to shame her or question her worth. She is a person of worth who makes her own decisions, and those decisions don’t have to please Del or anyone else. Shianne straightforwardly chastises Del and tries to educate him. Though he doesn’t understand and gets frustrated in that moment, he later takes Shianne’s and Cressie’s advice to heart.

Further, as Del decides what kind of man he wants to be and what healthy masculinity looks like, he needs to unravel the messages he’s received from society and his dad. At the young age of 15, his dad showed him condoms made it clear that “Rainey men” pursue sex. Dad also questions him about the Purity Pledge and had assumed Del wasn’t a virgin: “‘Are you really trying to tell me a Rainey Man doesn’t want to get some?’ God. I blurted, ‘Kiera Westing’s doing it.’ […] He pressed back in his chair, his posture was proud […] ‘Ohhhhhhh. I see now’” (39). Once Del indicates he’s only in the Purity Pledge because of Kiera, his dad appreciates his intended conquest. Similarly, his best friend, Qwan, is solely focused on sex. Qwan keeps encouraging Del to have sex and scolds him for being “too picky” as he chases Kiera. In Qwan’s point of view, sex without emotional ties is optimal. Because Del grew up with these influences, he thinks that men should be able to have any woman they want and should be sexually active. Though he’s nervous about sex and a virgin, Del isn’t opposed to having sex. He just wants it to be with someone he loves, wanting to find the supportive, real love his parents share. Del believes that special person is Kiera, even after she rejects him. Del thinks he’s a nice guy and is blind to the ways he disrespects Kiera by not getting to know her, by refusing to acknowledge her boundary in wanting only to be friends, and by thinking he can win her by being inauthentic.

Del’s main catalyst for change occurs in the family meeting about “enlightening” him, which clearly blames the toxic male culture too. His parents and Cressie try to help him see that he’s been trying to force a situation with Kiera that will never happen. Because they want to help Del, their words are harsh but honest. Cressie shares her sexual assault story and how many other women have similar horror stories. His mom says, “‘I know what it’s like for a woman. Doesn’t matter age, looks, what we wear, where we go. There’s always danger, because of, well, you.’ You, meaning men. Hearing my mom say it made me bristle” (337). His dad also adds the following:

‘Junior. It’s not all your fault, because I’ve been encouraging you in a way that my father and my uncles and a bunch of other guys I looked up to encouraged me. It felt good-natured, like a rite of passage. ‘Go get that girl.’ But all I can think about now is that animal who put his hands on Cressie was probably getting good-natured encouragement from his dad, and his uncles, and all the guys around them’ (339).

His dads words highlight how men are raised to treat women like prizes, but he has come to realize that another man’s idea of “getting the girl” meant putting his hands on Cressie. The realization is a wake-up call that both he and Del need to construct a healthier version of masculinity that doesn’t endanger anyone’s daughter, sister, or wife. All these influences—from his family, Taylor, Shianne, Qwan, and Kiera—swirl through Del to help him reframe his perspectives.