H.L. Mencken wrote, “For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.” This certainly applies to how we currently think of masculinity. On one hand there is the testosterone and manosphere crew led by Hegseth, RFK Jr., Musk Andrew & Tristan Tate, Nick Fuentes andJoe Rogan and others who in various degrees advocate a return to the stereotype of the “Real Alpha Man.” They seek male dominance and attribute society’s ills to weak low T men who are unable to aggressively command and make important decisions. It appears that their rhetoric is especially appealing to young men who are unable to fit into a gender equality society. The successes of the feminist movement have moved the needle closer to true gender equality and has given women greater freedom to pursue vocational and recreational interests that formally were considered non-feminine. However, the men of the manosphere feel threatened by feminine progress and blame women for their loss of patriarchy.
The other extreme is the pursuit of gender neutrality. Children choosing their gender, denial of any biological based gender differences besides anatomical and media portrayals of men being stupid and reckless are attempts to culturally emasculate men. Although either the manosphere or the gender neutrality perspectives are simple and clear they are wrong. Defining masculinity is incredibly complex in modern society. Recognizing that there is such a thing as male energy that contrasts with female energy and that combining the best of both will best meet the challenges of our fast paced and uncertain world and respect the unique contributions of both men and women.
In my blogs I have offered a perspective on masculinity where men can take pride in their masculinity that is not predicated on male dominance. Men can be manly in the light, regardless of their T levels, and utilize their male energy that complements female energy forging a true partnership that leaves neither men or women behind. Gender roles have become profoundly complex and understanding them requires a thoughtful narrative rejecting the simple manosphere or gender neutrality perspectives.