What is this manhood thing anyway?
A bunch of men have responded positively to this site. Others seem uncomfortable about it.
Some laugh at the idea, stripping the whole notion of manhood down to one organ: ‘Oh, showing off your manhood eh? How big is your manhood anyway?’
Another friend has warned me against doing the site… saying I should be careful not to offend women by presenting as some male vigilante. Hmmm, I don’t think this site is particularly incendiary or offensive, is it?
Surely (most) women would appreciate men talking about men’s stuff, in a measured, emotionally-open way, rather than just at the pub (drunk) or on the field (adrenalised or drunk afterwards).
Is manhood really that taboo?
on 03 Mar 2010 at 11:14 am 1.Vyv said …
Hello
I’m interested in the response of the friend who urged caution to not “offend women by presenting as some male vigilante”. Was this a man or a woman. Did they say more about what they were concerned about? I wonder what value is gained – and for who – by keeping men isolated and silent?
Is this a public forum, or invite only? If pubic, then maybe women who access to the forum (especially the women in our lives) could comment if they feel there are sexist or excessively patriarchal assumptions going unchecked and unquestioned on here?
on 03 Mar 2010 at 1:37 pm 2.step said …
That comment was from a male, but admittedly I don’t think he had read much of it. It was not long after I started this site. The general concept seemed to make him a little edgy too, but I didn’t properly ask him why at the time. I should try.
I do think a lot of men are scared to voice their emotions, in public or private. I also think a number of new age guys are reluctant to voice their opinion about male issues for fear of being painted as a patriarch.
I definitely agree Vyv, that anyone (male or female) can comment if they feel any aspect is negatively sexist.
This is definitely a public forum… however I’m not promoting it particularly so it’s largely been word-of-mouth readers so far.
Cheers, Step