Femininity and Masculinity - Do We Have It All Wrong?
Written by: Joshua Carreon
Today, I see men and women at odds with each other. Masculinity is portrayed as violent, sexist, selfish, and pig-headed, while femininity is seen as oppressive and outdated. I see how modern feminism seemingly preaches of the supposed dangers of men and the dictatorial “patriarchy”, and how in response men become bitter towards women. Women and men seem to have begun adopting a progressively more cynical and resentful attitude towards each other. It is this degenerative relationship which I see as having driven a wedge between the two, a divide created by, what I believe to be, a misunderstanding of their counterpart sex. Additionally, it is this growing divide which I argue has disrupted what I understand to be the complementary nature of the sexes, harming both the individual and society alike.
I begin by proposing an unpopular opinion: that masculinity is not only noble but immensely valuable; That in addition to being innate, is something which should be cherished by men. I think that for far too long our culture has misrepresented masculinity as toxic, violent, sexist, and self-centered when in fact it is just the opposite. I assert that in truth masculinity enables men to protect the innocent, stand up for what’s right, and promote love. However, I also believe that the masculinity feminism, society, and even some men, describe is a corrupted and twisted mockery of true masculinity. It is this perverted masculinity which instills in men the vices of aggressiveness, cruelty, and pride rather than the true virtues of their sex. It is my contention that a man’s true aspirations should not be to hoard wealth, collect women, or conquer but rather to defend human dignity, justice, and truth whilst also fighting for what is right and true. A real man is not Jordan Belfort, the Wolf of Wall Street, but rather St. Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary, who fathered the boy Christ, defended his wife’s honor, and practiced God’s love.
I believe that femininity has also been lost, disavowed by a philosophy which seeks to promote a fear of men and robs women of the natural dignity of their sex. A deceitful philosophy which tells women that their femininity oppresses them, that their gentleness is a weakness, their nurturance a burden, and their tolerance a submission. I would strongly argue that femininity is, in truth, a unique boon gifted to womankind and something which women should embrace and appreciate rather than reject. Femininity neither constraints nor enervates women, but rather empowers them, granting them the wisdom and intuitiveness to act as the moral compass of our society and as the cultivators of life, thus granting women undeniable relevance. Therefore, I am left asking myself why? Why do so many women reject their innate gifts only to become incomplete and hollow imitations of the worst type of man? Perhaps it is because that mendacious ideology has told women that the true value and power lies only within the perverted teaching of masculinity and that to make themselves strong they must adopt the same unscrupulousness? All I know is that, to me, the great woman is not a mimic of evil men but an imitator of the noble Mary, virgin Mother of God, who cared not only her son but all of his children with boundless love.
I propose that our society works best when the two sexes are in harmony and respect each other, that in truth men and women are reliant on one another. I assert that our separation brings about only chaos and discord, a war of the sexes, a war which I would advocate our society end. However, I contend that the path of reconciliation for the sexes will require that both drop their sexist rhetoric. Gender equality cannot, as I see it, be attained by the elevation of one over the other by means of vilification, but only by the ceasing of contention and the practicing of mutual respect, cooperation, and empathy. I believe that men and women are different, but also that this difference grants them their special significance and perspective which helps to diversify our society; Therefore masculinity and femininity should not be rejected as outdated, but instead be preserved and celebrated.
Do you agree with Josh's interpretation of modern gender roles? Do you think traditional male and traditional female roles have a place in modern society? Discuss below!
