Why do nice guys finish last? : an honors thesis creative project (HONRS 499)

Abstract

Why Do Nice Guys Finish Last?Although the original quote is said to have been about baseball, popular culture applies the idea to romantic relationships between men and women. A debate rages on in the academic community as to whether there is any truth to the old adage, "Nice guys finish last." This short documentary film will not enter into that debate, but will instead accept the phrase as a premise, and offer one possible answer to those who wonder why.From infancy we begin learning the difference between boys and girls, men and women. Cultural cues inform our understanding from the earliest ages. Men are bigger, stronger, and tougher. Women are smaller, frailer, and softer. Men have muscles. Women have curves. Men sweat. Women glow. These cultural stereotypes are filed away in our subconscious minds and help us form impressions of who we are and how we are different from others. Yet gender stereotypes can also undermine our attempts to connect at deeper levels with other human beings and thwart our romantic affairs.The film will explore this theory in three parts. Part One will first pose the question, why do nice guys finish last? Next it will focus on cultural ideals of masculinity through a video montage using clips from popular movies. Part Two will engage expert opinions on the development of gender in our society, and outline the theory that gender role expectations undercut interpersonal relationships. Part Three will center around a frank and open discussion among college-age women in which they explore what kind of men they are usually attracted to versus what kind of man they eventually want to end up with.A documentary film on the subject of gender role studies sounds pretty dry. This short film is intended to be shown to college students in a classroom setting as a way of engaging their interest on the topic much more effectively than a lecture would be likely to do. Therefore the film will use a comedic approach and down-to-earth tone to explore the issues, and must clearly illustrate how this topic relates directly to students' everyday lives.