The headline on the latest issue of GQ magazine’s cover is entitled “The New Masculinity Issue.” On the cover is a photo of Pharrell Williams — someone I have never heard of, which is not surprising.
This gentleman, who is supposed to represent the new masculinity, is wearing a floor length quilted yellow coat with no sleeves on the cover — maybe it’s a poncho. I’ll try my best to describe it for you. The coat flares out at the base like a wedding dress from the 50’s (without coming in at the waist) covering up his legs and shoes, like a big pyramid.
I wonder if there is a hoop or balloon skirt underneath to make it flare out. I am not kidding. Google it if you want to see for yourself.
Believe me, you would not be caught dead wearing this supposed “coat” in public. This piece of clothing would fit well in a Star Wars movie worn by an alien from another world.
The only visible part of Williams on the cover is his face and arms. If you focus on the face you would be hard pressed to tell if you are looking at a man or a woman. Hair on his arms and massive diamond rings on his fingers are the only clues that you are looking at a male.
In advertising a masculine model often has heavy stubble, a strong jaw-line and cheekbones (as described on the internet) so high and razor sharp they could slice through granite.
The definition of masculinity is literally the quality or nature of the male sex. The cover of this magazine, to me, does not scream masculinity — but the opposite. Even the font they use for the cover’s headline is new age and does not represent strength.
Society and feminism have been working to change what it means to be masculine for the last 40 years.
The results have been disastrous.
Erica Komisar, a clinical social worker, psychoanalyst and parent guidance expert who has been in private practice in New York City for the last 25 years said in a Feb. 14 column in the Wall Street Journal, “I’ve seen an increase of depression in young men who feel emasculated in a society that is hostile to masculinity. New guidelines from the American Psychological Association defining “traditional masculinity” as a pathological state are likely only to make matters worse.”
So the APA now wants to define traditional masculinity as a disease or sickness.
This gradual change in society’s observance of what masculinity is has also resulted in a change in the fairer sex. Women are foregoing marriage in America. Of course there are a variety of reasons for this but one of them is the lack of manly men.
Kate Bolick writes in her piece, “All the Single Ladies,” that the caliber of men has declined greatly. She complains that women’s choice for a male companion is between deadbeats (whose numbers are rising) and playboys (like Pharrell). This leaves “marriageable” men in decline.
The women’s movement can take credit for this destruction of traditional masculinity. It was not that long ago that is was masculine to respect and honor women.
Some feminists see traditional masculinity as being conflated with being a pig, or a creep, or a Harvey Weinstein. They are totally off the mark.
Traits traditionally viewed as masculine in western society include strength, courage, independence, leadership, and assertiveness. I don’t see how these traits are toxic.
For example, a man like Weinstein, who uses his power and influence to control and belittle women is not strong. That is weakness. His power emulated from his wealth and position.
A true man does not need wealth and position to be strong and confident.
In a message on its website (now deleted) the APA said, “When a man believes that he must be successful no matter who is harmed or his masculinity is expressed by being sexually abusive, disrespectful, and harmful to others, that man is conforming to the negative aspects associated with traditional masculinity.”
In my opinion, none of those attributes are masculine.
I may be a little old fashioned but when I think of someone who is masculine I think of the stars of my youth — John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Kurt Douglas (with his cleft chin).
Hopefully I won’t still be alive to see the “new” masculinity here in central Missouri.
