#444 - Mary Harrington - Modern Society Is Failing Men & Women
Mar 7, 2022
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Mary Harrington is a writer and contributing editor at UnHerd, known for her sharp insights on societal issues. In this conversation, she discusses the failure of traditional gender roles and the dark consequences of modern media, including the disturbing impact of TikTok on young girls. The dialogue touches on the sexual revolution, the complexities of relationships in a digital age, and how men need their own spaces back. Harrington provides a candid take on the pornification of society and the challenges facing both men and women today.
Traditional gender roles are fading, leading to conflicts between 'girl bosses' and 'men going their own way'.
Structured routines and firm yet loving guidance in child-rearing can lead to harmonious family dynamics.
Social media, especially platforms like TikTok, shapes behaviors and beliefs, causing tensions with conflicting viewpoints.
Deep dives
The Existential Challenge: Gender Roles in Disarray
Gender roles are in flux as traditional wisdom fades, leading to a battle between 'girl bosses' and 'men going their own way'. The guest discusses how the introduction of birth control has impacted relationships, leading to fewer marriages and altered dynamics between men and women.
Men's Spaces and Education for Children
The conversation delves into the importance of creating spaces for men and the need for structured routines in child-rearing. Implementing firm yet loving guidance early on can lead to well-established bedtime routines and harmonious family dynamics.
Social Media Influence on Behavior
The podcast explores the impact of social media, particularly platforms like TikTok, on shaping behaviors and beliefs, such as the rise of 'ticktock-induced tics.' The discussion highlights how digital culture can create parallel universes with conflicting viewpoints, leading to heightened social tensions.
Implications of the Sexual Revolution
The episode delves into the unintended consequences of the sexual revolution, including the decoupling of sex from reproduction and the reordering of sexual norms. Changes like access to contraception and abortion have influenced societal dynamics, challenging traditional relationship norms and expectations.
Rise of Sex Negativity Among Young Women
Young women are expressing dissatisfaction with past experiences of violent and abusive encounters, rejecting the notion of being shamed into certain sexual behaviors. They are vocal about the need to address disgust and discomfort in such situations, calling for a shift away from harmful encounters that neglect consent and respect. The podcast highlights anecdotes of young women facing extreme and unacceptable experiences, emphasizing the importance of establishing a discursive space for authentic communication and setting boundaries.
Challenges in Gender Relations and the Need to Reevaluate Marriage
There is a discussion on the evolving dynamics between men and women, with a focus on the impact of shifting power structures and societal expectations. The podcast explores the consequences of diminishing male-only spaces and the implications for men's social connections and mental well-being. Suggestions are made to reconsider the role of marriage as a stabilizing institution that fosters relationships based on more than just quantifiable success, aiming to address complexities arising from changing gender roles and societal norms.
Mary Harrington is a writer and contributing editor at UnHerd.
It's hard to say that either men or women have a firm place to stand right now. The age-old wisdom which both groups traditionally relied on is out of the window and we're now TikTok dancing our way through an existential apocalypse where Girlbosses and Men Going Their Own Way battle it out for nihilistic supremacy. I wanted Mary to help me conduct a post-mortem.
Expect to learn why the porn you start out watching is going to lead you down a dark rabbit hole, how the introduction of the pill lead to fewer weddings and more awkward situations for women, why men need their own spaces back, what Mary thinks about the pornification of everything, why young girls are developing tourettes from TikTok and much more...
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