Based on my experience as one of the fortunate few who doesn't pay much heed to gender roles nor subscribe to conventional views of masculinity, I have a theory. That theory is that Feminism is, generally, not a popular movement or set of ideas/ideals among men (particularly the cishet contingent aged thirty and up). I have a few observations/points to consider regarding why I think this is the case. Of course, I am not a psychologist nor anthropologist and these are simply my opinions.
- Allegiance with/orientation towards Feminism is generally not something encouraged in men, by other men. If anything, it is actively discouraged, thanks to toxic masculinity and patriarchy. I'm drawing this conclusion from my own experience of being labelled a "pussy-whipped beta cuck", "soy boy", "woketard" and various other unsavory epithets by Incels, MGTOW and others going through the gateway to being alt-wrong right-wing charmers of their ilk.
- In the main, men are not encouraged to be in touch with, nor explore, our emotions (other than anger, of course). Doing so is seen as "feminine" or "effeminate" (and a bad thing at that) by many. As a consequence, we largely lack the emotional depth/availability/maturity/intelligence necessary to do the requisite emotional labour and embrace the required paradigm shift.
- Doing the emotional labour and introspection necessary to accept the lived experiences, perspective and world views (harsh truths to some) that Feminist literature and conversations reveal(s) is extremely difficult and painful to men. No matter how open-minded and accepting one sets out to be, one invariably feels personally attacked on some level and becomes defensive. In a world that lets one get away with being a titanic shitgibbon, many don't see why they should bother.
In short, even if one is familiar with and open to introspection and self-improvement, the average man is simply not adequately equipped to deal with the emotional pain inherent in doing the emotional labour necessary to change one's world view. The status quot certainly doesn't make this any easier, being that it is largely a lonely journey. It's not a two-week seminar. When one can get away with not making the effort (or be criticised by one's peers for doing so), many don't bother to.
"Stuffing feathers up one's butt does not make one a chicken." — Tyler Durden (Chuck Palahnuik); Fight Club
Post thumbnail image copyright Nishant Choksi/GQ Magazine
