Interesting, but saddening, stuff...

[nomorenomore08]

http://www.upworthy.com/theres-something-absolutely-wrong-with-what-we-do-to-boys-before-they-grow-into-men?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+upworthy+%28Upworthy%29

"'Be a man' is something we've all heard at one time or another, even a few of the women reading this right now. Being a 'man' in that sense means something completely different to me (and maybe you, too) than what that phrase implies.

I can't even begin to describe the toll that the concept of masculinity has taken on my life. And it's felt everywhere. It's time we make changes, starting from within ourselves."

[Behind the Aegis]

1. It is reinforced in a variety of ways.

What is fascinating is the idea that men are supposed to be able to talk about their feelings and emotions, but some will say things "stop acting like a little boy" or "sack up." If those feelings don't line up with what others have prescribed, then men are "bad" or aren't "real" men.

[nomorenomore08]

5. Right, it's not necessarily that men can't express feelings, but more that certain emotions

are more expected of them, or more valued - e.g. anger and aggression. Whereas men expressing more "feminine" feelings - compassion, empathy - tend to be frowned upon.

[Major Nikon]

2. This has been discussed a few times within this group

The concept of masculinity has been warped into something that absolutely fails men at all levels, but particularly young men and boys.

[nomorenomore08]

4. Totally. Then throw in a heaping helping of anti-intellectualism and we're *really* screwed...

[rrneck]

3. Maybe

we could introduce the merits and dangers of stoicism to young men in a place where such knowledge is commonly distributed.

Most of these problems are not the result of gender, but the bastardization of ideas in the service of ideology and profit.

[nomorenomore08]

6. "...the bastardization of ideas in the service of ideology and profit." And that right there

is our contemporary political and social malaise in a nutshell. Conservatism becomes sociopathic corporatism (AKA Fascism-lite) while liberalism becomes watered-down, pro-corporate "neo-liberalism." Right-wing politicians pick the common man's pocket while flattering his prejudices. And the worst part is, there's no one to substantially counteract any of this.