@Mominohio wrote:
@Noel7 wrote:
@Sooner wrote:
Maybe men are treated more poorly? Have more stress? More problems? Feel more helpless? Feel more responsibility?
Who knows? But it makes you feel like maybe men are under stresses that are not recognized enough by society.
All we have to do is look at history and society for the last hundred years or so to know that men are not treated more poorly than women. I don't even know where to begin with this one...
I know where to begin.
Traditionally in western society, men were the ones given the responsibility of leading, providing, building and shouldering the bulk of the tough physical, financial, governing, and providing for both their families and society in general.
As times changed, and women became to be recognized as being just as strong and capable in all these things, men have become caught between a rock and a hard place, as to just what their role is or should be.
Much of the power and respect they once held in all areas of life was not only to now be shared (which honestly isn't all that easy to do for people of either gender), but in the balancing, men were made to look like fools, buffoons, idiots, raging maniacs, sexist, and emasculated. Just look at how men are portrayed on television in many of today's shows, or in many high grossing movies.
Men receive mixed messages from society today. Women want to be sexy, but men aren't supposed to notice or enjoy it. Do women want to be treated like a lady (open doors, man pay for the date etc.) , or will that be a source of ire?
Traditional roles are seen as old fashioned and even wrong in some circles, and people of both genders are made to feel bad if they believe in them or enjoy living within them (man providing for the family, mom staying home with the kids), or if they enjoy living the opposite (stay at home dads and mom's bringing home the bacon), they will face criticizim as well. It just seems that while we should be at a place where people should be and do what they want, and it be acceptable, there is even more conflict between groups advocating that their views are right, and the other is wrong.
Does any of this lead to shooting people or being violent? It shouldn't but I think it can and does. I agree with @Sooner, I think many men face much more stress in today's society than women want to admit, as they are too busy trying to convince themselves and others that they are the oppressed and stressed ones. Let's face it, there is more than enough stress in today's life to go around for everyone, and most people are feeling it. Women just seem to have more outlets that are viewed (counseling, support groups, etc.) as acceptable ways to them (the women) to cope, deal, share. Men don't have the same thing, or don't feel comfortable using/pursuing them in the same way women do.
I think this is an excellent and accurate view of today's conflicts. I'd hate to be a man in today's world. You don't much get a break anywhere. That's why I think the hard feelings between many groups of people will exist and even escalate until PEOPLE are revered as individuals and we stop the gender, race, and other biases that exist. So far we're just making it worse.
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