Do you agree with this statement?

Question

From an answer posted in this question:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsL0.m2I5EKMmknxlfptH8UYxgt.;_ylv=3?qid=20071126100321AAXAgRN

"There were at least two technological revolutions (agricultural and industrial) that really took away the need for the man's role (hunting in the former, plowing in the latter). Women, on the other hand, are as important as they've ever been. They give birth to and mostly raise the children.

We men are freaking out (and don't even realize it) because our role has been devalued and we feel less biologically useful. And really, we are less biologically useful. This imbalance has created a lot of the sexism we see today."

If this is true, then would it follow that in order to eliminate sexism, we must make men feel MORE valued for their contributions? If they felt more useful they would have no need to demean or discriminate against women.
It seems contrarian - but could it work?

To Sigy : My intent is not to superficially massage any egos. If I were to accept the premise I would work toward a values-based appreciation of male contribution to modern society.

To Alpha wolf: Kudos for having the guts to say that many men feel their masculinity is threatened. I believe that denial of this is a huge part of the cause of sexism today. I also like that you offerd some suggestions.

I just discovered that the question linked has been deleted. Sorry for any inconvenience. The relevant part was pasted in full.

To jonmc... Wow, you managed to insult both me and the person I quoted in one fell swoop. Now, do you have a real answer, or did you just need to make yourself feel superior?

Answer 1

Ok, number one, I do think that many men feel that their masculinity is threatened. It's not the fault of women, of course, but just a natural occurrence that was inevitable in a society where the men held the majority of power. There are many different shades to this issue of what role they played and why it happened, but overall, just about every man today was raised to believe he was the provider for the family, that it was his job to be tough, in control or whatever. I think that the more that these men realize that they don't have that kind of power, that they really don't control any other adult in the home, the more their insecurities will arise.

What I think needs to be done is to illuminate the ways in which men are important, to at least teach the coming generations what they're modern value is in society. For the men already grown, I think we need to reassert equality issues, but make sure they fit for both genders. Such as, the fact that many men are actually really good at being a single parent if they want to be bad enough. Or that men CAN cook without being seen as effeminate or whipped unless they're a chef. There are many better examples out there, but the basic thing is, I do think it has to stretch to both genders in the same measure. Women are proving to be good politicians, construction workers, scientists, etc., right? That's good, but to make it fair, men should have the same opportunity to take on female dominated roles when they want. Society also needs to remove the stigma that are placed on these men so they aren't made to feel less manly for taking on these tasks.

In essence, I think that the stereotypes we've all been raised with have to be smashed. If men could be shown that they have equal importance in all aspects of society and family life, then fewer of them would feel threatened and fewer would feel it necessary to become abusers in any form.

My opinion.

Answer 2

1-. Kurt Angle is the best wrestler today. - Agree 2-. Ric Flair was the greatest of all the times. - Agree, Woooo 3-. Antonio Inoki was the best Japanese wrestler ever. -Agree 4-. The Great Owen Hart was a victim of Monday Night Wars. - Disagree 5-. Eric Bischoff was the best general manager in RAW history. - Agree 6-. Chris Jericho deserve a better opponent then Mickey Rourke. - Agree 7-. Hulk hogan defeating Iron Sheik was the death of Pro wrestling. - Agree 8-. Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 25 will never be as charismatic as Hulk Hogan vs Ultimate Warrior match at Wrestlemania 6? - Disagree BQ- Agree

Answer 3

I don't see how those revolutions devalued men. Men have always been providers. Hunting for food, Planting the food and by todays evolution, we now merely work for an income to help maintain for our children. Men still perform the basic purpose of providing for their family.

The only thing that may have changed is perhaps that a woman can now do the same work as a man and does not necessarily need a provider anymore. In most cases, families now need 2 incomes, thus both man and woman act as providers and the woman gets the added role of raising a child.

I also see men becoming more involved in the raising of children though, it is merely going slower, because women wanted the change on their behalf, men did not. Women wanted equality and to be providers. Society even pushes women now to be providers and offers less respect for merely being a homemaker. Men are taught by social standards that child raising and such are womens work and beneath them and it is looked down upon or seen as a weakness for a man to take part in such things ie. be a homemaker while his wife provides income.

Answer 4

What we should do is forget about the contributions men have made in the past and focus on the contributions they can make now and in the future. Everyone will be able to give something. The only time I'd worry about someone not giving enough is when they are barred from it on account of sex.

Answer 5

This statement is silly. why would men "freak out" because they felt that they were undervalued. They still get paid more for the same job than a woman with the same qualifications. They still get promotions more frequently then their female counterparts. My husband in an Electrical Engineer, I am a store manager. He has asked me several times to take classes to become a District Manager. This would put me making about 50K more than him a year. And then he would quit and stay home with the kids. How, does that show freaking out??? It shows a REAL MAN!! Supporting his wife and wanting to take full advantage of the benefits.
Men are no different than they were 50 years ago, and if they are it is probably for the better...

Answer 6

I agreed with it when I first read it and I agree with it now. Women stepped up by starting to work so men should step up by taking on more fatherly duties. Granted there are men that are stay-at-home-dads but it's rare. It's better for society to step up instead of step down to make others feel more useful.

Just another note. The person who put that should get a lot of respect because he not only had some good insight but he was able to list good sources.

Answer 7

The Q was deleted btw.

Anywho, to the quoted: Way to reduce women to baby factories. Let's completely ignore historical female contributions to both industrial and agricultural work. *scoff*

There's your sexism.

Answer 8

That's ridiculous. There will always be a need for both sexes. This was writtne by someone who has too much time on his/her hands and is not living in the real world.

Answer 9

If you are suggesting that the way to end sexist attitudes is for us women to soothe men's delicate egos than I don't agree. You are not making a contrarian suggestion at all.

Hey I like Most men and love some of them. And I try to show those men how much I value their Real contributions. They know I mean it.

Answer 10

I agree with it to some extent in that I do believe that the value of women is increasing, but I disagree that men's value is decreasing. Some men do perceive it that way though.