Masculinity

Don H · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 187

The under-representation of male teachers in primary schools is currently a
political topic. Allegedly it creates a lack of "masculine role models"
especially for boys coming from single-parent (mother) families. Exactly
how is maculinity to be defined in this time of SNAGS (Sensitive New Age
Guys)? - with women taking traditional male jobs, being aggessive in the
workplace, and even going to war - though there seems a lack of them as
builder's labourers on city high-rise sites. The dictionary definition of
masculine seems somewhat circular - can the word be defined? Is such
role-model needed, or even desirable? And will "affirmative action" cure
the "problem"?
=========================

Archived from group: aus>education

nullabore · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 12

"Don H" wrote in message$Wa.74489@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> The under-representation of male teachers in primary schools is currently
a
> political topic. Allegedly it creates a lack of "masculine role models"
> especially for boys coming from single-parent (mother) families. Exactly
> how is maculinity to be defined in this time of SNAGS (Sensitive New Age
> Guys)? - with women taking traditional male jobs, being aggessive in the
> workplace, and even going to war - though there seems a lack of them as
> builder's labourers on city high-rise sites. The dictionary definition of
> masculine seems somewhat circular - can the word be defined? Is such
> role-model needed, or even desirable? And will "affirmative action" cure
> the "problem"?
> =========================
>
> is such role-model needed, or even desirable?
YES
And will "affirmative action" cure the "problem"?
I wouldn't say this is Affirmative Action

Don H · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 187

But that's the point - just what is masculine and feminine in today's world?
Of course, there are a lot of women who would happily let the stupid male go
off to work while she stayed home and indulged her fecundity in relative
ease and leisure. The Modern Woman may be starting to realise that being
"liberated", like the male, is no big deal, especially if the male
stubbornly refuses to stay home and do the chores. Hence, what "role" model
are we talking about? Of course, if we only mean gender, as such, then
there's no argument.
Incidentally, I'm surprised the Catholic Church has bought into this
argument. After recent events, a somewhat humble attitude might seem
appropriate. On the other hand, what better institution to advocate
discrimination in favour of males.
======================
"Norman" wrote in message$2o7t$1@otis.netspace.net.au...
> I agree with you Don, 100%..
>
> Why is it that women want to be like men? I prefer the women I know to be
> feminine.

Norman · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 11

I agree with you Don, 100%..

Why is it that women want to be like men? I prefer the women I know to be
feminine.

"Don H" wrote in message$Wa.74489@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> The under-representation of male teachers in primary schools is currently
a
> political topic. Allegedly it creates a lack of "masculine role models"
> especially for boys coming from single-parent (mother) families. Exactly
> how is maculinity to be defined in this time of SNAGS (Sensitive New Age
> Guys)? - with women taking traditional male jobs, being aggessive in the
> workplace, and even going to war - though there seems a lack of them as
> builder's labourers on city high-rise sites. The dictionary definition of
> masculine seems somewhat circular - can the word be defined? Is such
> role-model needed, or even desirable? And will "affirmative action" cure
> the "problem"?
> =========================
>
>

Don H · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 187

Sorry, missed that. But the day the RC Church is pro-fem, then I'll really
sit up and take notice.
======================
"Rod Speed" wrote in message$215hk7$1@ID-69072.news.uni-berlin.de...
> Its more complicated than that.
> ........
> Have fun explaining why the catholic church wants that.
>
> Tad unlikely that they deliberately engineered an election stunt.
>
>

Rod Speed · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 8

Don H wrote in message$Wa.1730@news-server.bigpond.net.au...

> Sorry, missed that. But the day the RC Church
> is pro-fem, then I'll really sit up and take notice.

Who cares ? Those fools have resisted every single advance
in human society, including votes for women, democracy,
the abolition of slavery, birth control, etc etc etc.

Hardly surprising given the fools they attract to the hierarchy.

We have managed to stop them burning people at the stake tho.

Now to stop them raping children.

> ======================
> "Rod Speed" wrote in message
> $215hk7$1@ID-69072.news.uni-berlin.de...
> > Its more complicated than that.
> > ........
> > Have fun explaining why the catholic church wants that.
> >
> > Tad unlikely that they deliberately engineered an election stunt.
> >
> >
>
>

Claire R · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

You asked what 'masculine' means if women are taking 'traditional male
jobs' in today's workforce and appear to be acting more like males.
Your occupation doesn't, and shouldn't define you as feminine o as
masculine. I think in the case of trying to get more male teachers in
the classroom, that masculine is the presence of a male in a child's
life.
Just because a male is a nurse doesn't make him feminine and a female
being 'aggressive' in the workforce because they want to succeed
doesn't make her any less of a women.

In regards to having more male teachers in the workforce, I agree.
Such a role model is definitely needed in society. I don't think this
move will necessarily 'cure the problem' as you put it but it will
certainly help. More needs to be done to encourage both a female and a
male presence in a child's life.