In recent discussions surrounding masculinity and gender roles, prominent figures have voiced their concerns over the evolving dynamics in society. Scott Galloway, author of The Books of This Man, has provided a blunt distillation of what it means to be masculine today. Meanwhile, Helen Andrews has popularized the thesis of the Great Feminization, expressing her fears for her sons in a world increasingly perceived as feminized. These statehouse conversations are a microcosm of societal inequality. Persistent economic stresses and a prevailing gender pay gap further complicate these issues.
Galloway’s thoughts, which he presented at Vox Media’s Pivot Tour stop in Nashville, are worth unpacking. The launch event was held at the Sydney Goldstein Theatre in San Francisco on November 13, 2015. He highlighted the challenges faced by men in today’s workforce, stating, “getting up at fucking six in the morning and going to work and doing shitty work such that you can protect your family economically.” This announcement highlights the critical and increasing pressure felt by men as they bear the economic burden, while gender roles are still evolving.
Those sentiments were expressed by Helen Andrews in her opening remarks at last week’s National Conservatism conference in Washington, D.C. Her thesis, that Western society is experiencing a feminization process, argues that male identities are being endangered. Andrews shared her grave fears for her sons. She fears for their future in a world that is slowly learning to scorn stereotypically masculine characteristics.
The gender pay gap remains a hot-button issue. In the UK, it is only about 13% today across all employees. In addition to this, women still disproportionately occupy part-time positions that tend to pay less overall. This inequity poses serious threats to our economic equity and how it affects our families.
According to recent surveys, here’s the staggering reality on financial security. A shocking four in ten even said their salary wasn’t enough to cover their basic necessities. Moreover, more than half of respondents consistently worry about their financial future—a concern that transcends gender lines but weighs heavily on many men who feel they must provide for their families.
In exploring these themes, Finn Mackay, a senior lecturer in sociology at the University of the West of England in Bristol and author of “Female Masculinities and the Gender Wars,” offers an academic perspective on the evolving definitions of gender roles. His work asks the viewer to reconsider the boundaries between masculinity and femininity, leading to provocative conversations about personal identity in today’s world.
One notable statistic from recent surveys reveals that 83% of men believe in sharing housework and childcare responsibilities with their partners. Further, 80% say that they would support efforts to provide practical assistance to encourage fathers to play a more active role in family life. The future men are realizing more than ever that they need to take an active role in whatever goes on at home. They’re not immune from the pressure of damaging gender norms.
Despite these initial accolades, Andrews’ thesis has come under fire for oversimplifying the really nuanced and complicated issues related to gender identity and economic pressures. Her critics contend that her worldview is out of touch with the complex realities today’s families are experiencing. Beyond accountability, the claim that men are the ones suffering at the hands of a feminized workplace abnegates the idea that society should evolve as well.
“What did men do to deserve this?” – “What Did Men Do to Deserve This?” – The New Yorker