Good evening gentlemen.
Today, in English, we were assigned a multimedia project of a topic of our choosing. Mine was the emasculation of men in America.
It's a commonly known fact that as time progresses, men are becoming less like men, and more like women. A century ago or less, it was almost unheard of for a man to be sued or incarcerated for getting into something like a bar fight. Fifty years ago it was considered outlandish for a woman to have a career instead of presiding over household activities. Yes, and 800 years ago it was OK to raid the next village, rape their woman, and take their chidlren as slaves. My point? Things are better now than ever. As for bar fights, well, if someone knocked my tooth out I want him to pay my dental bill. While I feel suing for 3 million in emotional damages is bogus, he is going to pay me a few hundred or whatever it is to replace my chipped tooth. I dont see that as feminine; I see that as justice.
Fifty years ago, well 60 actually, it was WWII. Ever heard of Rosie the Riveter? Might want to refine your dates a little bit, as that era saw women coming into the workplace, and the birth of baby boomers sealed the deal concerning the acceptance of women in the workforce.
New directions in thought and social norms have created an atmosphere where it's OK for men to express feelings and affections, as well as possessing characteristics unbecoming of a traditional man. It's become accepted for men to wear effeminate clothing, wear makeup, get manicures - all things that would have probably gotten a person ostracized just a few decades ago.
Its become tolerated for men to wear those clothes, though I hesitate to call it accepted. To be honest, outside of fashion magazines and a few shows, I dont know a single person that would not point and laugh at a man wearing silly clothes. Hell, most woman hate men that dress like that. Physical masculinity is still very much in demand.
As for expresing feelings, Idunno...I consider myself quite manly (I work a physical job, have a beard, drink beer, lift weights, and enjoy a warm bed with a woman in it) but when I watch Babe or Finding Nemo I always go "Awwww thats cute". People have given me crap for it, but I dont care. Whats more masculine: adhering to some idealistic standard of being a manly man, or being at peace with yourself and not giving a damn about some douche's opinion? I say the latter.
As for manicures, some of the most manly men in history have received them. You think uberpowerful dictators or rich, amazing athletes did not have nice nails?
It's not just pop culture and trends in **** that are changing men. As our governing body becomes more integrated with the female sex, laws are being put into effect to limit displays of aggression and other behaviors that are simply ingrained into the minds of males. In some cases, laws that were always around are being more strictly enforced.
Its called civilization. Do you really want the barbarians back? I like going to the bars and knowing that some guy cant beat me up for accidentally hitting on his girlfriend. Or, should he attack me, I like knowing he can go to jail or I can claim self-defense. I agree some of the laws are a bit strict (I dont want anyone to have something put on their record simply because of a drunken mistake), but seriously....its a good thing.
There is also something else you need to note. Men more in touch with the changing world (Dare I say more liberally-minded men) have no issues adapting to these laws and stuff that "curb" male aggression. It is the primitive, lesser educated, and backwood males that have the issues, and to be honest no one likes them. A week ago a friend from the Central Valley (he is a farmer) in CA came down to visit and another friend called him gay so he slugged him. Hey, if he wants to be angry, fine! But a response like that is uncalled for, and speaks volumes for your character.
My question to you, gentlemen, is where will this lead us? Are these behaviors that typify a manly man simply archaic expressions of primal urges? Or are they a necessary display of dominance and surliness that have kept clans, cities, and nations safe from outward threats? As men move to become more like women, and women more like men, are we headed for an equal society where a person is not defined by their gender, or are we setting ourselves up for a blunder of social roles, where the sex that is not as greatly suited to a task is assigned to it regardless of biology?
Who knows? All I know is I loved having women sit next to me in ****(something uncommon and frowned upon decades ago), and I love working next to women. Three out of five of my relationships have been with coworkers. So if women want to work, let them.
major_silva
In short, what it sounds like you are asking for is a return to "Me no like, me smash you!" attitude our primitive, uneducated, bigoted ancestors had.
I dont want that. I like equality. I like being around women; something about estrogen in the air gets me blood moving, not to mention the eye candy.
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