I was born in 1969, which means that I grew up in a different culture within Britain. Not a perfect time as no time is but definitely a different one. In my view in some ways much better and some ways more flawed than this one.

One of the big problems I have with today's prevailing culture though is just how much the bar has shifted against masculinity.

It's like the concept is now some kind of dirty word. As if a male acting upon his nature is somehow in excess or in error of what is ok.

I've come across this change in cultural attitude and while I see the sense in a little of it I think it's gone way overboard.

Obviously...there can be issues and there is a discussion to be had, for example, about excess behaviour in males which drives more crime in society.

However, I also believe that this cultural shift against masculinity...this propaganda for a kind of overly neutered masculinity has also been unfairly damaging to many men, even boys in schools. It has gone beyond moderating behaviours.....It's an attack on maleness.

It's a kind of attack against nature.

The dawn of the wimp along with feminism hasn't only righted a balance but it has tipped the scales far in excess for a healthy relationship with gender natures.

Edited by Stirlingsays (02 May 2017 2.59pm)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Seriously?

Yeah there are many, both personal experience and from the media and professions.

I'm interested, are you saying that you don't observe what I'm saying?

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

So you're only two years older than me!

Has it, or has the definition of masculinity become more informed from critical perspectives, both within and without. Personally, I don't really ascribe to the idea of machismo, despite it making for some great literature.

Can you define what you mean by 'his nature'. Human nature is a remarkably complicated, we aren't simply biologically defined in terms of personality traits.

Such as. I think some times people can go too far into the absurd, but I think also that some elements of masculine culture can be experienced very differently by other males and especially by women.

Its an interesting point, why are almost all violent criminals and sex offenders men. Crimes committed by women, not all women, but most, tend to be relatively minor.

It odd, I think its liberating not to have to conform to specific socially definitions of 'what makes you a man'. Is it damaging to critically assess male power and male identity in society? Why is that damaging to 'be responsible for your own actions and being' surely that's better than being determined entirely by biological impulses.

Masculinity is not a product of nature, its a social construction because it relates to personality and identity, whilst there are some biological factors involved the degree to which these define complex factors of identity is unproven in individuals or groups - Only across a species paradigm. Biology doesn't deal with individuals, as such its not suited for defining and contrasting personality factors in humans, unless you can demonstrate their existence in 95% or so of a group (for example if 95% of men, irrespective of social factors, shared the same view of masculinity, then it would be valid).

Nonsense, the problem is more an ignorance of feminism and a sense of hysteria among men about how the social shift in power has hit them. Obviously, there are some people among the more radical fringes who are crazy, but feminism informs us from an outsider perspective of what it is to be a man, from a woman's perspective - which is just as valid as a mans view. Feminism is just as critical of women, as men.

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
[Link]

I saw a TV show once that predicted that we'd all eventually end up androgynous and ugly. I feel like I'm way ahead of my time.

Anyway, on the flip side TV shows and films such as 300, Vikings, Game of Thrones etc have at least resurrected the idea that real men ought to have beards and walk about swinging their d*cks.

Edited by Part Time James (02 May 2017 3.24pm)

You're not a blogger. Therefore there's hope for you.

Beckham's fault

And weirdy beardies with their frapplappacinos (this may or may not be based on my inability at the age of 52 to grow facial hair)