Category: Uncategorized

Many of us needlessly agonize over the decisions we make in our lives.  We invest countless hours weighing our options, worrying about the outcomes and beating ourselves up if things did not go as expected. Myth: Decisions by their very nature are difficult and require lots of effort. Fact: We actually make hundreds of decisions…

I promised myself that I would not keep blogging about how men in advertisements are made to look inept and often need a female partner to fix or undo their stupidity. However, a recent commercial for candy has caused me to break my promise. Two grinning large men dressed in football gear are sitting next…

It appears that some of our political and business leaders have come to the conclusion that men have become less “Macho” and need to demonstrate a retro type of toughness that they feel has been lost in our current culture. The problem is that they are reverting to the misguided macho trope that does not…

“I’m not looking for a male role figure for my children – is that wrong?” The answer to this headline in a recent article in the British press is a resounding yes. I have blogged several times about the impact of being unfathered that needs to be repeated with Father’s Day fast approaching.  It is…

The news cycle is dominated by stories of bad behavior by men.  The “Me -Too” movement has exposed countless examples of sexual abuse and harassment by men especially by men in powerful positions. It has galvanized women to become more involved in politics and to add new energy to gender equality issues – equal pay,…

I have come to the conclusion that a belief that is embodied in the American psyche that has harmed all of us, especially men, is the mythology of “rugged individualism.”  Rugged individualism, in the context of U.S. history, is a philosophy emphasizing individual self-reliance, personal liberty, and the belief that individuals can succeed on their own…

What About Men is the title of a new book by a noted feminist Caitlin Moran who was interviewed in a recent Time Magazine Q&A about her book. My first reaction was, why do we need another book by a women discussing masculinity?  I am not opposed to women writing about the broader issues of…

Paul Simon wrote and performed a song entitled “Wristband.” The song begins rather humorously describing a musician on a break who leaves the venue to smoke and check email.  He hears the stage door lock behind him and he realizes that to get back in he has to go the front door. Standing at the…

Uncertainty and ambiguity are stressful for individuals, markets and businesses.  The ability to tolerate the angst of uncertainty for individuals appears to be related to one’s hard wired personality.  Those who see the world as either black or white do not do as well with ambiguity as those who recognize that life is actually filled…

I have tried to avoid politics in my blog and will continue to do so. However, there is a connection between our current political climate and how we define the best of masculinity. Several individuals in the current administration and their supporters have pointed to a need to inject more male energy in our government…