Are todays men less masculine?

Not less masculine than at any other time in history. Men are 46,XY adults, and that’s about the only generalization that should be made about them.

Sperm counts have been dropping worldwide, likely due to the proliferation and accumulation of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the natural environment over the past 70 years. However, that doesn’t make that portion of adult human population any less masculine (which merely means “male”), just less fertile.

I avoid the term “toxic masculinity,” other than to point out that it is overtly sexist and a term to be avoided for that reason. There’s already too much hatred in this world, and there’s no good reason to add to it. I’d say the same about “toxic femininity.” Bad behavior is neither masculine nor feminine.

 

Civilization has been steadily making even women more masculine for around 6,000 years now, since the invention of metallurgy changed warfare forever. Note this is the same time frame within which dualism was invented, and dualism is self-contradictory. Using simple divide and conquer strategies, dualism has been used to censor and suppress half of reality all along, and encourage the mindless masses to declare war on even the kitchen sink. Ironically, the closer you get to any major urban area, the higher the women's heals become, while even how many babies women have has become closely tied to their income, with runway models often imitating military fashions, because men are more attractive, due to making more money.

 

I feel that gender stereotypes are often unhelpful and overly prescriptive. "Real men do X" and "A good woman should be X" only serve to create an in-group of those who adhere to some person's standard of a social concept while othering those who don't. Furthermore, I think it's a subtractive process - we can't retain the gender stereotypes we enjoy while also discarding those which have subjugated us in the past.

 

I think we’re incredibly complex and evolving, all the time.. do we want to go back 50 years, or 1000 years, and have men like they were back then..
Times change, the world changes, and there’s no going back.. I don’t think it’s a good idea to pine for things past, whether you were there or not..

 

What does that hafta do with the subject at hand? As long as a fire gets put out, who cares if whoever does it is a manly man, or a girly girl? They're very brave people doing a dangerous and grueling job to save lives, nature, and property.

There's nothing inherently toxic about masculinity and femininity. Sexism otoh is definitely toxic.

 

Ugh. Me have club. Me want you stuff. Me take now. Me see woman. Me want. Me take now.

 

I think so. I think they have been stopped from growing up because there seems to always be a reason or issue for their behaviour rather than being self accountable. I had this with my wife a while ago when she was dealing with something and I said "Look, when we were kids our parents would have done such a such(fill in as appropriate). And she said "things are different now". And my response was "only because you allow it to be".
The thing is - and I love my wife dearly and she is ultimately a fantastic mother- my wife in similar situations would expect others to have a more robust approach to their child if similar situations occurred but will readily make excuses of issues. The thing is I am the step father so I can view things from outside the tin and like to think I am more pragmatic.
I.e. my ex partner claimed to me that my son got told off because he feels the teacher was picking on him. I refused to buy in to that and suggested "that maybe our son was manipulating us to get himself out of trouble". With her it worked but with me, I was a bit cynical so became the bad one.
But my point being, yes I think they are becoming more feminine and also remaining childlike as they are not being so encouraged to "man up and take responsibility for their actions". I also feel society is worse off all round for it and reaping the seeds sown.

 

I totally agree with you on this point

 

I agree with you 100%

 

Since the Babylonian and Persian empires, its been widely accepted that he who waves the biggest stick, defines masculinity. Today, they're waving bigger sticks then ever, threatening to blow up the entire planet, and women everywhere refuse to accept the blame.

 

Yes, that is another side to explore and evaluate. I honestly joined the Army to keep peace. That was in 1980. History shows man is cabable of extreme brutality . Our USA is not without sin either but someone has to stand to fight evil.

History shows women are capable of extreme bravery. Florence Nightingale and Joan of Arc are two excellent examples. The hippie movement is one of peace and counter culture and counter establishment. So, I might seem like an odd duck. Others has articulated much better than I can, the Ying and Yang. Others have done an outstanding job describing past experiences and how that becomes the lense in which we see and evaluate the dynamics of masculinity.

My last comment is I really enjoy these discussions and the civil manner they occur. It gives me hope that maybe we won't devolve into Planet of the Apes.. Peace and love to all you beautiful people

 

You make laughter

 

That gave me a good laugh

 

UGH--me big tough guy. Me pee standing up.

 

Cute that you think the US fights evil.

 

.................................
Yes. did you see Netanyahoo sitting in The White House with his legs spread wide open.

Thought he was channeling Gene Simmons of Kiss.

Trump picked up the vibe, so they were both sitting spread eagle.
It did send a powerful subliminal message on the eve of Trumps bombing of the nuclear bunkers.

My mother would have smacked me for such an posture.

 

I went tinkle tinkle little star ever since kindergarten