Feminists--What affect do you think feminism has on men? Do you care?

Question

Out of all the so called good things feminism brought for women, do you think it has a negative affect on men in general. With men wearing earrings, caring more about their dress (being pretty), caring more about their feelings more than responsibilities(Men in getting in touch with sensitive side, whatever that means). This was not prevalent in men before feminism. Do you think feminism somehow took the man or masculinity out of men (in general)? If its true, would you think its worth it?

Answer 1

Ah, so feminism is responsible for men wearing earrings or caring about their dress.

Has anyone ever showed you pictures of the way wealthy men dressed in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries?

Was that the fault of "retroactive feminism" falling backwards through the space-time continuum?

Answer 2

I fully agree with your description above.

It is a great achievement that men are becoming more caring and sensitive and that they may even explore their inner feminine side  (We all have been born with both masculine and feminine traits in our character!).

Generally our society has become more liberal than in the past, and feminism has played its part to liberate men from social pressure to live and behave in expected stereotyped gender roles.

As a transgender I am happy to see a certain feminization of men in our society. Everybody should be allowed to express his/her true individual identity.

I don´t think it will lead to an elimination of gender differences in future, but we will come closer together, with more understanding and empathy between the sexes.

Altogether, I don´t see any negative effects, but a liberation of men.  Yes, it´s worth it, no doubt !

Answer 3

I don't think the two are connected in any way. Tracey makes a good point to show this.

The whole point of feminism is to get women on an equal footing to men, not to emasculate men. If men wear earrings/care about their appearance, it is more to do with personal preference or cultural trends - and is not directly related to feminism.

Answer 4

I do not think that feminism is responsible for men "losing their masculinity"...if they even have, which I don't think they have.  

But even if it turned out that feminism IS responsible for this...of COURSE it's worth it!  I'm sorry, but you can't justify oppressing women if it will make men more masculine.  Besides, even if men have become less masculine, they haven't been FORCED to be that way!  If a man wears earrings and cares too much about his appearance, that's his choice...whereas, before feminism, women didn't have many choices...they didn't get to *choose* not to vote, for example.  

Individual rights are MORE IMPORTANT than social good.  You cannot justify oppressing one group for the sake of improving society.

Answer 5

I think that feminism has a positive effect on men. Men who are naturally masculine can continue to be so, but those who are NOT naturally masculine can explore other aspects of their personality with a little less fear than in previous times. I don't think many, if any, men are being forced into effeminate roles; mostly it is men that, in a feminist-free society, would have been forced to hide behind a macho facade.

Answer 6

"This was not prevalent in men before feminism."

Yes it was, at times. Men are different, just like women are different. If feminism has caused more men who want to wear dresses and be sensitive (and women who want to wear buzzcuts and be assertive) to feel accepted, then h**l yeah, it's worth it.

Answer 7

The greatest effect feminism has had on men has been what humanistic philosophers examine related to men's own rise above the Master / Slave moralities, that, until the Master / Slave moralities are removed from male-female relationships, the M/S moralities will continue to enslave men as well in their behaviors within their own "gender".  Feminism participates effectively at ending the M/S paradigm from our social consciousness. And, although everyone should care about others, I couldn't care care less about how men are coping with the rise of women.  Feminism is a politic, not "mommy".

Answer 8

You would be hard pressed to find a feminist come clean and admit the movement has caused any negative effects on the greater society. They are to arrogant to admit this point. What feminist do not understand and from what I have experienced is they have no desire to explore how masculinity is an essential component of a good and complete man. Masculinity to name a few positive traits, teaches men: honor, respect for your fellow man and woman, responsibility, perseverance, problem solving, and yes.... even love has a masculine component. The young men I see coming up today lack some of these traits or they are underdeveloped. We have a generation of Man-Boys who women will eventually find unattractive.

Edit: Clothing and how a man dresses himself is not my concern. It is the content of the man that concerns me.

Answer 9

lmao Tracey that was very funny and actually a very good point.

Answer 10

It is very obvious that feminism has pretty much been an all-out attack on men disguised as an equality movement. The people who call themselves feminists don't care about the affect on men. But we are getting almost to a state of apartheid with laws like VAWA being implemented around the world. Check the question I just posted and you will see what I mean http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 11

I think feminism has been great for men-giving them more room to express their individuality-but you're actually giving it too much credit. Male and female roles have been changing since the industrial revolution-in a technological society there is less and less need for physical strength and a great need for intellectual abilities and strong communication and negotiation skills. The technological age has changed the occupations and the workplace-now women are competing on a more equal footing with men-whether feminism existed or not-we were going to need a different type of employee and worker than we did in the past.

I don't think too many feminists care what men wear or how they look any more than they care about how women look; if you don't want to show your feelings-doubt many feminists care about that either-since they won't be involved with you. I have no idea what feelings have to do with responsibilities- your statement does not make sense to me. I hated the gender roles I grew up with-so any change is an improvement to me.

Answer 12

I think feminism gave men the opportunity to not have to be the "protector" or "strong one" in society.  They now have the option to be less masculine in the broader sense.  They also have free reign to use "equality" as an excuse to not marry women or be active in their children's lives--"women can take care of themselves".  I believe it has had a negative impact in these ways, and although I laud the movement for allowing women to be freer, I have serious misgivings about a movement that also allowed men to be "freer" about shirking responsibility.

Answer 13

Feminism has allowed men an opening to question their roles in society the same way women do now; what is masculinity, exactly? Being responsible? Being polite? Caring for those weaker than you? Thinking beyond your own needs? Last I checked all those things were essential to just being a good person, not a good man.

However, feminism's focus is on women, not men, so that occasionally leaves examination of men's issues out in the cold.  Which is what masculism is for.