Masculinity 2

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/09/20/why-we-need-to-reimagine-masculinity.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/19/AR2010101905822.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns

These two articles were helpful in understanding masculinity in contemporary American society. The first article provides an interesting overview of the changing roles of men throughout history. The authors argue that "masculine ideals" have changed over time depending on the need of society, but currently men are facing a crisis because of the lessening importance of primarily "male" industries. Due to this crisis, some men have looked to "old models and mores of manhood for salvation". This is detrimental for both men and women. Men are suffering in many ways. Jobs that fit into traditional conceptions of masculinity are not abundant and men who opt into careers that are traditionally feminine risk being emasculated by others. Women also suffer in many ways, given that these old models and mores do not support the empowerment of women and can actually encourage detrimental views of women. In my opinion, the biggest problem is that these views are spread to both men and women as how powerful people should be. This is shown in the second article that talks about the new trend in politics based in these values of what a man is, and what power is in general. In part, this trend bothers me because men are being attacked through methods of verbal castration. Aside from the question of the values behind why they are being "castrated", this method of attacking men seems invalid and offensive to both men and women. Why is the biggest threat or attack on a man his castration or his feminization? Its also upsetting that women are taking up both values and methods that are so obviously oppressing to them.