Are Men Becoming the “Second Sex”?
The floundering of the male status in society is making people assume that there’s a crisis in masculinity.
Society often puts a lot of pressure on men to be providers and be useful to others. From a young age, boys are taught to value their worth based on their ability to be successful in their careers and provide for their families.
However, as the world changes and the economy shifts, it can become increasingly difficult for men to demonstrate their usefulness in the traditional sense.
Imagine a man who has spent his entire life working in a factory that has now closed down. He’s been out of work for months, and despite his best efforts, he can’t find a new job. He’s feeling lost and worthless, and it’s not just because he’s struggling financially. It’s because he’s been taught his entire life that his worth as a man is tied to his ability to provide, and now he feels like he’s failed at that.
Or a man who has always had a passion for art, but never pursued it because it was not seen as a “useful” or “manly” thing to do. Now, he’s in his 40s and still regrets not pursuing his passion. This can lead to a feeling of worthlessness and a lack of motivation to improve himself.
“I have been accustomed to the idea that men are carriers of burdens. Our job is to be strong and expendable and quit complaining. This idea is drilled into us that showing vulnerability or weakness is not acceptable and that we need to “man up” to navigate society’s expectations.”
-Justin
Additionally, the focus on being useful to others can lead to men neglecting their own needs and passions, which can negatively impact their overall well-being. Men are often taught to suppress their emotions and not to focus on their own mental and emotional health. This can lead to a host of problems, including depression, anxiety, and addiction.
“Our society defines maleness by the minority of men who are successful, which helps construct the narrative of oppressive patriarchy. When some feminists would try to argue how the top is occupied mostly by men, it will never tell them the bottom is also mostly occupied by men and that the bottom has a much larger population than the top. I want them to understand that men are indoctrinated to suck it up and drive on. We work under the threat of being disposed of by society if we fail.” -Mike
Society needs to encourage men to prioritize their own growth and well-being in addition to being useful to others. This can be done by breaking down the gender stereotypes and societal expectations that men are supposed to be the providers and that their worth is tied to their ability to be useful to others.
Men should be encouraged to pursue their passions and interests, regardless of whether they are seen as “useful” or not. They should also be encouraged to take care of their mental and emotional health, and to seek help if they need it.
It’s time for men to understand that their worth is not only based on their ability to provide for others, but also on their own personal growth and well-being. Men should be encouraged to find their own path and purpose, and not be afraid to pursue their own passions and interests.
We, as a society, should support and encourage men to be the best version of themselves, rather than just expecting them to be the providers.
I think it’s time we recognize and address this issue.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments.
