This excerpt is a discussion of how feminism can help men and also why they might feel threatened by it. This really goes back to one of my favorite things about feminism, which is that it can really help everyone by giving us all to develop every part of our selves as people, to do what we are truly good at and enjoy without the boundaries that gender tends to impose on both men and women. The author makes some really good points about how difficult it must be for men to not show their feelings unless it is through violence, which is of course not a natural state for women or men. Whenever people ask me if I would rather be a man if I could choose, this is always the point that I remember and that makes me say “no.” I like that I, as a woman, am “allowed” to truly feel, experience, and express my emotions.
The author also discusses masculinity and the military, which is the topic Lauren and I are exploring for our literature review. I think that one interesting point she makes, which I have never considered before, is that the military is innately sexist since they feminize the enemy in order to dehumanize them. This is much the same as male sports teams do when they are trying to pump themselves up for a big game. It is quite sad to think that what is perceived as the best way to make men feel strong (and capable of killing), is making them think of their enemy or competitor as feminine.
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