E49: Is Manhood Under Attack? w/ Prof. Nancy Pearcey
Aug 21, 2023
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"Toxic Masculinity" is discussed in this podcast featuring Prof. Nancy Pearcey as the guest. Topics include the origins of societal hostility towards men, the impact of the Industrial Revolution on masculinity, the importance of work-life balance, and finding harmony between masculinity and femininity.
Masculinity is not inherently toxic, but cultural shifts and misconceptions have led to a toxic view in popular culture.
The Industrial Revolution and the separation of work from the home had a significant impact on both men and women, leading to challenges faced by masculinity and femininity in modern society.
Encouraging healthy masculinity involves affirming men's innate knowledge of what it means to be a good man, celebrating their duty, honor, and integrity.
Deep dives
The Misconceptions about Masculinity
The podcast episode challenges the misconceptions about masculinity, emphasizing that men are not naturally promiscuous or beast-like. These misconceptions have led to a toxic view of masculinity in popular culture. The book, 'The Toxic War on Masculinity' by Nancy Pearcey, explores the history of masculinity and how cultural shifts have influenced societal perceptions. The episode highlights that masculinity is not inherently toxic, but rather men are naturally oriented towards marriage, family, and fatherhood. Emphasizing the positive qualities of masculinity can help counter the negative stereotypes.
The Impact of Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution and the separation of work from the home had a significant impact on both men and women. Men were taken out of their caretaking roles within the family and became more individualistic and competitive. The shift also led to the devaluation of fathers and the belief that women were morally superior. Women, on the other hand, lost their productive work within the home, leading to the rise of feminism as a response to these changes. Understanding this historical context helps shed light on the challenges faced by masculinity and femininity in modern society.
The Need for Balance and Harmonization
The podcast episode emphasizes the importance of finding a balance and harmonization between men and women in society. It acknowledges the strengths and differences between the sexes, highlighting that men are physically stronger while women have unique nurturing abilities. Encouraging healthy masculinity involves affirming men's innate knowledge of what it means to be a good man, celebrating their sense of duty, honor, and integrity. Similarly, fostering healthy femininity involves recognizing women's importance in the home and supporting their roles as mothers and nurturers. By promoting these values, society can create a more harmonious and balanced understanding of gender roles.
The Benefits of Fatherhood
The episode discusses the benefits of fatherhood and the importance of involved fathers in the lives of their children. It highlights that men biologically experience an increase in oxytocin, the bonding hormone, when becoming fathers. This increase in oxytocin is related to greater attachment and nurturing behaviors. The podcast calls for a recognition of the cultural mandate for men to provide, protect, and be actively engaged fathers. By celebrating and supporting men in their roles as fathers, society can help men experience a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment.
The Path to Reclaiming Healthy Masculinity
The podcast episode suggests that reclaiming healthy masculinity involves tapping into men's innate knowledge of what it means to be a good man. It encourages reaffirming men's inherent aspirations to provide, protect, and be responsible fathers and husbands. By rejecting the toxic stereotypes surrounding masculinity and embracing these positive qualities, men can experience a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment in their lives. The episode emphasizes the importance of supporting and encouraging men in their journey towards healthy masculinity.
“Toxic Masculinity” has become a common term used to name manhood as the instigator of many of the problems in society today. Professor Nancy Pearcey and I discuss the themes of her latest book, The Toxic War on Masculinity. We discuss how the Industrial Revolution became a catalyst to the division between men and their families, how equating masculinity with toxicity denigrates the gift of the masculine role, and how we can help build up men to live out their masculinity authentically.