What's with the Anti-Men trend?

Question

Every time I turn on the tv, it's some man playing an idiot while the women has drive and clairty of vision.

I'm sick of men being portrayed as walking sacks of meat that just burp and fart.

Because ladies, remember... Men are better then you at the following:

- Math
- Science
- Engineering
- Humerous Jokes / Comedy
- Not getting pissed off at your friend because of an indirect comment she made to the sister of your other friend during the meal at burger king that they shouldn't have had because they're supposed to be on a diet with you. (breath break) Which caused you to break your diet and eat a tub of ice cream which made you want to watch beeches which made you sad so you had to call your mother even though you didn't feel like it to get some sort of comfort, yet there wasn't any comfort only questions about babies, so you angry and take it out on your husband who you've been denying sex to but it's his fault because he's not here right now.

Hell, and that's only half of the event as described to my by my girlfriend.

It's sad. Men are portrayed as idiots, but women go out and buy anti-bacterial soap (all soap is anti-bacterial, which you would know if you were better at science), and get lured into purchasing a water filter by claims of "toilet water and tap water come from the same source".

Sharon, despite your thoughts (if you can call them that) on the subject, I'm shocked at the resentment.

Perhaps you should point your latent inferiority complex towards the University of Harvard who did the study. It's a school where smart people go.

You'll note that in that study, they identified those topics as being better handled by men (on average of course).

As for your comment about the paycheque, I'm surprised that you'd consider having a relationship with a man who's only concerned with sexual gratification. From your response, I'd pegged you as far more deep and intelligent then that.

As for your suggestion that I marry a fat cow, I don't think I'll be dating you in 5 years when your truck driving hubby leaves you because you sit and watch soap operas and eat bon bons all day.

Good response there SkaterGirl:

A couple of points though.

A) I've got my masters in Physics.

B) I work at a hospital as a technical analyst where I analyse software and hardware to treat cancer patients.

C) I do have a girlfriend.

D) If you read the study, which might be a stretch for you, you'd see what I was saying.

So, no. On average men are better at science, math and engineering (humour too)

Close though.

Also, just reading through your intelligent response.

You're good at science math and engineering but you're boyfriend is better.

Wow, that really blows apart my arguement. Good going.

I'll just pat you on the head and send you on your way.

Answer 1

I don't blame you for being upset the way many of the men on the most popular television shows are being portrayed, it irritates me too. I don't find them funny at all.
But every man I know save maybe two older relatives finds the characters' ineptitude hysterical, so I have to presume part of it is b/c the public, both male and female, that watches those shows enjoys the portrayal.
But I admit to being continually dismayed by the lack of intelligence displayed by the general public I encounter.

What's interesting to me is your reminder to women about what men are better at, as if we're the one's creating the shows. I'm not sure what proportion of the various shows writers and creators are women currently, but last I'd heard the industry was predominantly male. Either way, these shows are filtered past various executives and test groups of both genders before they're aired, and then they don't survive unless the audience enjoys them. The shows want to make money, and they won't do that unless the public likes them.
Target demographics for shows are different, Commercials are targeted differently too. You can bet your ideals that most car commercials aren't targeted towards 18 year old girls, they tend to be targeted towards middle-aged men or moms. The biggest spenders for small items are teenagers and early-grade college students, b/c they have the highest level of disposible income, regardless of gender.

As for the study, it doesn't surprise me. I will say:
1) don't assume it's true for every individual you meet. It's not. The study only reflects general trends in society, there are always exceptions.
2) yes, it's true on a general basis, but your tone implies that it's the result of nature. That hasen't been proven. What has been proven in other studies is that most of the discrepancies in the areas you listed are a result of various environmental factors, including: the assumption that women are inferior and consequently providing less education in those areas, differences in the ways males and females learn, gender socializing, etc.

Frankly, men do have a bad deal right now, if you don't like it, complain to the people who have the power to change it, I'll back you.

But also do a bit more of an in-depth evaluation of the portrayals of women on television. They're still stereotyped. Ever heard of the double shift? It's a term that refers to the expectation (and reality) that contemporary women who work 40 hours a week are still subject to the expectation that she'll work the traditional homemaker role as well, a second shift. Yes, women on contemporary t.v. programs are driven, and have clarity of vision, they work etc.
But you'll notice they're also still portrayed as the the primary caregiver in the home, endorsing the double standard.

I am, by no means, trying to argue that women have it worse. I'm simply saying that both sides are getting a raw deal right now, and it's not helping anyone.

To repeat my earlier rec.: Tell someone who has the power to change it. Get a group together.
But I'd advise against aggitating or blaming women, b/c you may lose a lot of women who would otherwise support you. Maybe you don't think you're mysogynistic, and maybe you aren't and were just upset, but your post certainly makes you sound it. Not the complaint about men on tv, or even the example from the study, but the way in which you stated it.
I'll assume you didn't mean it to sound that way, since studies have also shown that women are better than men at writing and expressing themselves.

Answer 2

See, I read that study too. Not sure if it was from Harvard though.

It's funny that all the "women" on this answer are so upset over being told that they're not as good at math science and engineering. I'm not sure about humour, although I find most female comics dull.

The problem is that women spend the money. Advertising is designed to get the most money out of people. Because women are the spenders, they advertise to them.

I also noticed the subtle way you phrased your question. Not the obvious point, but the salient one. Your point about how men aren't pissed off because of a long thread of situations.

The thing is, this isn't true. I know you didn't mean it this way. But from most of the responses of women here, it appears that it is true.

Kinda funny. Just some observations from an old man with too much time on his hands.

Answer 3

Where have you been? This no-holds-barred attack on men has been going on for more than 20 years! The reason behind it is simple: In advertising, everyone has a target audience, and the target audience is the people who spend the money (READ: The people who SPEND the money, NOT NECESSARILY the ones that MAKE the money). Advertisers and marketers have done extensive demographic studies, and they have determined that their target audience is females primarily between the ages of 15 and 45. These are the SPENDERS, and when you're selling something you want to appeal to the people who are opening their purses/wallets. That's all they're doing -- catering to the segment of our population that needs regular affirmation that they can be strong and smart (that would NEVER work with guys because we learn self-sufficiency at a very young age).

Answer 4

You're the biggest idiot I've ever heard in my entire life. You're such a loser! I'm better than any guy I know at all those things. (except my boyfriend who is probably 1000 times smarter than you.) And, guess what? I'm one of the most popular girls in my whole school. haha. No wonder you probably don't have a girlfriend. Any girl that even came close to you realized that you're a jerk and blew you off. I agree with Sharon. Except, I hope you don't ever get married, you never get a girlfriend, and you fall off a bridge. I'm sure it'll happen. Freaks like you sit on the couch all day drinking beer, licking mayonaise off their fingers and dipping chicken fingers in ranch dressing. You probably don't have a decent job either because nobody wants to hire you. (and no, working at McDonalds is not a decent job) lol! Moron.

Answer 5

This must be what male menopause sounds like.
1. Turn off the t.v., you can't handle it, obviously.
2. Go do some math, science or engineering, but leave "humerous" jokes to someone else because you can't spell humorous, let alone accomplish it. String theory is more entertaining than listening to you rant.
3. To answer your question "What's with the Anti-Men trend?"... quite simply put MEN LIKE YOU!

Answer 6

As with most people (yes, I said PEOPLE) you forget that there is good and bad in everybody. Men and women have varying degrees of talent in all areas. It does not matter if they are male or female, all that matters is the ability to have their gifts nourished.

Now if you just wanted to complain about a hormonal women, so be it. Just remember, men go through their moments as well. How many women in their middle age want to grow out their hair, buy a sports car, and relive their so-called "glory days."

All things pass, just relax and go with the flow.

Answer 7

I have noticed this anti-men trend as well and really don't like it when men are portrayed as pathetic stupid creatures...Isn't that what women fought so hard during the liberation movement for? to get out of that stereotype..I am a man...I don't think I deserve this kind of disrepect simply because of my sex...and by the way, I was brought up to believe that both sexes were equal--they certainly were in my family...I do NOT believe that men are better at anything...or that women are better at anything.

Answer 8

so why exactly are you basing your arguments on a study that was only carried out on a limited number of people (i assume they did not question the entire earth's population, and even you would know that maths science and engineering are predominantly male-orientated environments anyway?) - surely with your eternal wisdom youd have worked that out ages ago? you seem to have a lot of personal issues anyway, so perhaps think about sorting them out first instead of resulting to using an internet site to vent your pathetic vendetta towards women.

Answer 9

White men are idiots, deal with it. You are big babys that whine and complain! Go to work, bring me your check, ill play with your dingie for a bit and shut up. I like demaning little pricks like you. I hope you marry a fat cow who screws 10 men on the side because your millimeter pecker wont get past the fat.

Answer 10

Where have you been? The self-hating Democrats have been encouraging the demonizing and ridicule of white men since the early seventies.