do you think that feminists challenge men for the masculine role??

Question

it seems that ever since feminism that the male role is disapearing. when i say the masculine role i do NOT mean the boss of the relationship. i mean the role of a man feeling like a man and being masculine. its seems like women are now trying to play both mom and career woman and on top of that they are shedding there sense of femininity because they think that being feminin and womanly is just a social construct created by men, the "opressors". and they are trying to go out of there way to be more masculine. i think that if women play the role of everything then where does that leave men? what role can they play without feeling emasculated? a man needs to feel like a man and how can he do so if his woman is doing that for him? and if he does try to play the role of a man then he is ridiculed for being sexist and opressing women.

when i say masculine and playing the role of a man i do not mean that, that means bing the "breadwinner" or that only he should be working . men need to To do men things. And its like the male figure seems to be disapearing

georgia: you completely missed the point. there is a difference between a strong woman and a tyrant.

Milk Maid: that is exactly right. i agree completely . i wish more men and women could realize this

Answer 1

I appreciate this question and have wondered similiarly, though from a very different perspective. It does seem like in our culture men arent sure how to be men anymore and quite honestly many women arent sure how to be women either... I do not think the role of the male is dissapearing its just that both our roles are changing, rapidly, and we havent been able to keep up with it. I do consider myself a feminist and always have, raised this way, etc, and yet in many ways I am very feminine and somewhat old fashioned and I have no interest in being "like a man" but in being a whole person. I am SO GLAD I am not imprisoned to a life of home making with no other options and yet if that is what I want and what I choose then it is a beautiful thing. My observation is that what is being neglected and devalued terribly are the care of children and home. We are just beginning to see the consequenses of this. The TV dinner day care lifestyle does not appeal to me at all nor does joining the job market in some fast paced competitive career world. What is more important than caring for our children, if we choose to have them? I am pissed off about this, about defining feminism in a very narrow way as if we have to be like men in order to have equality. And in the process we trash out and look down on what have been female skills for centuries.
Anyway, women can indeed remain feminine and mothers while soaring in their careers, as mine has, without the luxury of a responsible loving man. not without consequences though.
Believe me, many many women appreciate masculine men and most all positive aspects of the traditional male role - certainly a loving male partner and provider for young children, a true partner, a good father. I could not deal with a subservient man because I am too strong willed and would become very bored quickly. I love a man to be a strong man, but not bossy father knows best idiot.
I think were just gonna have to work all this out as honestly as we can and come to greater understanding and comfort in what our roles are, what it means to share power, have all these possibilities open to us (as women for the first time in centuries, the pendulum swings before it rebalances) and take care of our children as best we can. we can honor what it means to be a man and what it means to be a woman in the most genuine ways however people define these for themselves. I have faith that things will become more balanced and clear,hopefully for the next generation because it sure wasnt in the last one (my parents) Your question is an honest one. thank you for it

Answer 2

Certainly, one of the results of feminism was challenging both feminine and masculine roles. Women were housewives, in the private sphere, and men were the ones who made decisions and worked, in the public sphere. Also, (in regard to stereotypes) women were 'sexual objects' and men were breadwinners and considered "destructive and detached." We're still fighting many of the same, or similiar, sterotypes today.

I think most people would agree that feminism opened the door to much wider opportunities for women -- to work, to participate in politics, to go to college or join the military. And, if so desired, women can choose to stay at home and raise a family - I think feminism was about choice and about raising the status of women - including homemakers who were not appreciated, even by themselves.

As for men, their roles changed, too. No offense to males out there, but I would not want to marry someone like my father. He was the "strong man" who held his feelings in and withheld a lot of love. He was also the disciplinarian. I think many men now appreciate the freedom that these new roles bring-- greater participation for men in raising children, showing emotion, and a rejection of the role of being in control or embracing violence.

Sure, we are still trying to change stereotypes and redefine our roles. But really, do we need someone to tell us how to behave to fit a gender role? Do we really need someone to tell us how to be masculine or feminine? Do we need sterotypes reinforcing these ideas? We don't all fit into a mold. I believe our roles should be based on interests, not chromosomes.

Answer 3

Obviously you are going to pick the answer that supports your position but i'm going for it anyway.
There is no such thing as the "man feeling like the man" or "men needing to do man things." You are not born having certain feelings just because you are a man or a woman. Those are things that develop because of what people say and do to you. think of it this way, as you get older there are certain things that you used to do with your friends that you start to be embarrassed of as you get older. I'm talking about those things that you start to think of as not being cool or not being "manly" or "girly" enough. At the same time you start to less affectionate with your parents. Why? because you don't want others to look at you in a strange way. None of these feelings just appear. They develop based on society's perception.
To even use the word "role" is idiotic. There are no "roles" that men and women naturally play. We create those roles for a number of reasons. The most prevalent reason is what sociology "complimentary" traits. We associate certain traits with women (femininity) and others to men (masculinity). Together they create a society in which men and women need one another in order to have all of the traits. Of course we aren't born with those traits. If we were meant to be masculine as men and feminine as women then how do you explain those who don't fit that mold? Is there something fundamentally wrong with them? Of course not. Women aren't trying to take the man role they are trying to have the freedom to do what we have for so long only allowed men to do. Men also want to do some things that women were only allowed to do (like display emotion and be sensitive to other people's needs). There is nothing wrong with that and there is nothing odd about that. I know what you mean by "masculine" but you have to realize that masculine is just a set of traits and anyone can have them or not have them depending on what they choose. If a man feels less like a man because his woman is masculine then that is a sign of how insecure and hypnotized by society he really is and vice versa. What makes me a man is my genetic make up. That is it. There is nothing in the world that can make me less or more of a man because that was decided before I was born. The things on the earth can only make me a better or worse human being (who just happens to be a man). That's what you need to realize. It's like saying that a person of a certain skin complexion who doesn't fit the societal prejudices of that "race" is not really "white" "black" or whatever. That's a crude example but you get the point. It's a per. Can her or his actions or behavior alter that? No! You are really setting back the whole idea of equal rights my friend. Gender (traits) means nothing. It sex (genetics) is everything.

Answer 4

Feminism in my opinion is out of control and is destroying the men.
No one has power over you unless you give it to them.
Take back the power, but don't go overboard the other way.

Women love being treated like a lady
They really love a male who respects them. The whole door opening and giving up your seat thing makes them feel special.

Some men don't seem to want (or maybe is it don't now how to), be the balanced male. So some women are forced (in their eyes) into fillling the void left by the male. Once they have stepped in to "save the situation" (well someone has too) then it is hard to step out again.

I think neither sex should be downtroden. Both sexes should honour the other.

Answer 5

What actions are you referring to when you talk about manly actions. Urinating standing? Men need to have there roles challenged, in fact everybody does that is part of self actualization not feminism.Feminists are interested in actual imbalances of power where people are being harmed as a result of this. Do some homework and read about ecology, human trafficking, and female genital cutting, then you will understand why your questions are so frivolous to actual feminists.

Answer 6

Feminism is the theory lesbiamism is the practice. Feminists challenge men for the masculine role indeed.

Answer 7

They probably do...well men are free to do something about it...not to dress like women...that is silly...

Answer 8

No, it sounds to me like you are somewhat insecure. A true man does not feel threatened by a real woman because he's secure with himself and has nothing to prove.

Answer 9

No, I think they challenge society for equal rights. Nothing wrong with that.

Oh, look at all the thumbs down from insecure males. This man does NOT feel threatened by women!

Answer 10

They try. And they're doing SUCH a good job, aren't they?