The article which I have chosen to look at is by an American Pastor, Chuck Baldwin, who poses the question, 'Whatever happened to Masculinity?' Baldwin begins the article as he means to go on by suggesting that masculinity has been 'scorned' due to the recent infatuation with homosexualtiy in Hollywood.
To back up his belief that masculinity is being dismantled, Pastor Baldwin gives his understanding of what it takes to be a man, he lists what he feels makes a man, a man."By masculine, I mean a man who not only demonstrates the physical qualities of ruggedness but who also possesses inner toughness. A man who says what he means and means what he says. A man who recognizes the importance of honesty. A man of noble principle. A man without covetousness. A man who cannot be bribed or bullied. A man committed to manly virtues. A man who is the head of his home and knows how to control and discipline his children. A man who loves justice but also knows tenderness and mercy. A man who fears God and shows reverence for the sacred. A man who knows the difference between the rule of law and the lust for power. On the whole, our society today has little tolerance for such men. Even in our churches, masculinity is dying. "
Pastor Baldwin here describes a strong man, not just physically but emotionally and intellectually. This conception of man is a severly outdated one, In America when men were the sole providers for their families and had priviliges that women were not entiled to, this idea of what it means to be a man, may have been true. But in the 21st Century these ideas are no longer entirely correct, not to say that men like this are not about, because there are but most men do not need to be all these things to justify their manliness as there has been a significant change in ideals over what it means to be a man.
Baldwin goes on to suggest that it is because young boys are over exposed to female behaviour that they cannot understand what it means to be a man. "The overexposure of young boys to women leaders is taking a serious toll on their masculinity. Think about it: it is not uncommon for a young boy to never know a male teacher or principal until reaching high school, and even then, male teachers are egregiously outnumbered by their female counterparts." Baldwin may be correct in suggesting that as most children are exposed to females more due to mothers tending to be the ones who stay home and care for the children, yet to suggest that this is affecting their manliness is absurd. Mothers have predominantly throughout history been the parent to raise children in the home, so to suggest that manliness is detiriorating due to exposure to women is contradicting to his argument.
"Hollywood is continuing to pollute our culture with its incessant promotion of movies which praise and promote the homosexual lifestyle is one more nail in the coffin of American decency and manhood. It is unclear whether America will be able to rebound from this anti-masculinity political correctness that currently permeates our culture. However, one thing is clear: true masculinity is fast disappearing from the American landscape, and as it vanishes, so does one of the significant attributes that helped build this nation." Baldwin has some very strong views on anti-masculinity and as a Christian it may be that his views on gay couples is what reinforces his issue with masculinity, he seems to blame Hollywood for the what he sees as the lack of manhood in America. Baldwin says that True Masculinity is disappearing from America, but this is only his outdated idea of what it takes to be a man, infact I would say that manliness is still present in America, if you look at some of the top sports players, you get tough and dedicated men but the difference is that these men can cry tears of joy if they are to win a major event without their manliness being questioned. So if a man is to show emotion and care this doesn't make him less of a man.
Chuck Baldwin - Whatever Happened To Masculinity?
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