A female author of five books on marriage, feminism and gender politics expressed on FOX News: "Most women do want a man who’s kind, but that’s not the same as nice. Ask any guy you know, and he’ll likely give you example after example of women they know who said they wanted a nice guy but in reality wanted a bad boy. That’s because just as most men are attracted to femininity, or softness, most women are attracted to masculinity. And masculinity is hard. Gruff. Take charge."
Also, a FOX Nation female host branded young men 'pansies' and claimed that "growing a beard and wearing a flannel shirt doesn't make you a man if you still can't change a lightbulb," before wrapping things up by lamenting that all of these 'helpless' young men prove that there are "slim pickings for women". She went on to say, "This has nothing to do with sexuality. It has more to do with the helplessness of today's young men. Who's to blame? Are we getting too strong? I don't buy that because a real man knows how to handle a strong woman. Please teach your sons how to be men, because the women of the world are tired."
One man posted an article in agreement, stating: "Men, as a whole, have gotten soft. The technical skills and staunch can-do attitudes that characterized the manly generations of our past have largely been snuffed out – cast aside as society progressed and gender lines became increasingly blurred. Masculinity, to all intents and purposes, has lost its edge."
Sadly, he may not be wrong. A recent survey found that the majority of today's men cannot change a tire (59 percent), or wire a plug (51 percent), and only 20 percent can fix a dripping faucet. Only 42 percent know how to check their vehicle's oil level and just under 50 percent of men say they would be able to get a spider out of their house. Putting up a shelf properly is something that just 37 percent of men say that they could do, and only 29 percent say they own a fully stocked tool box.
One male Millennial author put it this way: "Over and over again, men have been chastised by women for not being ‘in touch with our emotions’ or unable to ‘open up’ in relationships. But the first generation to take the emotional plunge is now forced to endure endless whining from women who complain that we’re not the strong archetypes of masculinity they still seem to think they’re entitled to."
This is definitely a debate of the Millennial generation.
I've always tried to be as balanced as possible in being able to express my emotions while at the same time being masculine. It is indeed a tightrope act and I've fallen off plenty of times. Sure, I can change a tire; wire a plug; fix a dripping faucet; check the oil level in my truck; mount a shelf properly; and, have a stocked tool box. And yes, I can be a spider slayer. However, I can also express my heart for someone, and that has not always served me well in life. I'm of Generation X and feel that my upbringing in the 70's and 80's was at a time when men could be masculine but also express their heart. Can masculinity and vulnerability exist side by side? That's a question I believe generations will continue to debate.
From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),
Paul J. Staso
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Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek
Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:
- United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
- Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
- Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
- Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
- The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
- Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
- Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
- Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
- Some Cycling Moments From The Past
