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Men: Play Your Part
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Bill Bailey doing his
bit |
Not
only is the objectifcation of women degrading, but the exploitation
and caricaturing of male sexuality degrades men. Lads mags,
increasingly the general media - and especially advertising -
represent men as oafish, crass, simplistic, easily manipulated
idiots. By not actively opposing this caricature, men appear to
tacitly accept this representation of their priorities and
sexuality. Advertising suggests men are too thick to want to buy a
product for its functionality and features, so they need to have a
sexually provocative woman draping herself over it to arouse his
interest.
There's a bullying element too; if a man stands
up and says "I don't like to see women represented in this way",
"I'm sick of all this gratuitous female flesh" he may fear that his
masculinity will be questioned. A man is pressured to 'prove'
his masculinity by belittling and degrading women or else be ousted
and humiliated as a 'fag'. There was the oh-so-short-lived 'new man'
who was quickly ridiculed and gave rise to 'laddism' as a blanket to
cover the important questions that needed to be addressed
about men's changing role in sexual relationships and
society as a whole. Laddism has prevented men from defining for
themselves a new idea of masculinity, that didn't require the
subordination of women. | Since the discourse hasn't had a chance
to ripen, here's an alternative definition: Masculinity is
protective, responsible, controlled, sexy, intelligent, sensual. It is
obsessive, curious, tenacious, subtle and refined. Masculinity is
trustworthy, imaginative and playful. Masculinity is the total opposite of
this juvanile, self-centred, brutal and ludicrous template it is
supposed to fit.
Men need to stand up and say "I take
exception to this representation of my gender", just as feminist
women let the world know they take exception to the representation of
theirs. By taking this stance you not only heighten your awareness of this
manipulation and rise above it, but also play an important part in helping
women to value themselves.
What do you think?... To
comment, click
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