The most dominant model of masculinity, the real man or tough man concept has been around for centuries.  However in recent decades the model has been weighted towards the hyper- masculine or extreme masculinity. Modern media, in its never ending quest for ratings, continually magnifies the hyper-masculine. This trend results in TV and film heroes becoming larger, more muscular and more violent, every few years.
The trend is even reflected in young boys toys such as GI Joe and the various “hulk type heroes. These “toys” also reflect the trend of impossible muscular bulk and carry obscenely bigger weapons. Billboards and posters of sports heroes and male models now emphasise muscular bulk, the type that can be only gained by long hours pumping iron in front of a gym mirror and ingesting steroids.
Such trends amplify the idea that a man must be tough, silent, stoic, competent, competitive, a stud; can handle his liquor and so on. These concepts are also held in place by our families, schools, peer pressure and the wider community.
These false concepts of masculinity affect our young men who lack positive male role models and have no sense of healthy masculinity. Most of the devastating violence we experience in our communities is committed by young men between the ages of fifteen and thirty; it includes domestic violence, rape, acquaintance rape, incest, male on male fights, serial killings, racist hate crimes, gay-bashing, arson, and barroom brawls. 
With 80% of our primary teachers female, and large numbers of men leaving secondary teaching, sportsmen’s behaviour on and off the field, has a significant impact on shaping masculinity for young men.