Teaching Boys to Hate Themselves
The Family Violence Prevention Fund/Advertising Council/Waitt Family Foundation provides an example of one of the most insidious forces at work in our society.
Have you seen one of these commercials? They are highly offensive. They are part of the social constructionist’s mission. These social theorists believe that there is nothing innate in human behavior and thus nothing that cannot be changed. Everything we are is a cultural and social construct. This, unfortunately, includes the natural energy and rough-and-tumble exuberance of boys.
The message in these commercials is straight out of the male loathing department of your local state funded university: males are part of a “patriarchy” that teaches them to be violent. So, we need to start the patriarchy decoding while they are young.
If you see one of these commercials, complain to the network that aired it. Or, better yet, complain now before your boy sees these commercials. It might help prevent another suicide.
In the meantime, we have a better message you might consider teaching your boys:
Also, tell them to forget about military service, because they would be defending a Constitution that no longer applies to them.
Have you seen one of these commercials? They are highly offensive. They are part of the social constructionist’s mission. These social theorists believe that there is nothing innate in human behavior and thus nothing that cannot be changed. Everything we are is a cultural and social construct. This, unfortunately, includes the natural energy and rough-and-tumble exuberance of boys.
The message in these commercials is straight out of the male loathing department of your local state funded university: males are part of a “patriarchy” that teaches them to be violent. So, we need to start the patriarchy decoding while they are young.
If you see one of these commercials, complain to the network that aired it. Or, better yet, complain now before your boy sees these commercials. It might help prevent another suicide.
In the meantime, we have a better message you might consider teaching your boys:
There is nothing wrong with being a boy. If anyone makes you feel bad about yourself for being a boy, come tell us (your parents) about it so we can go talk to them. They are misinformed.We also suggest that you teach your boys that the rights all US citizens have taken for granted are being eroded, especially for men. Teach them that they should be active as adults, working with other men, to regain these fundamental rights.
Also, tell them to forget about military service, because they would be defending a Constitution that no longer applies to them.
posted by Iguana at 2:20 PM
2 Comments:
As contrary as this may sound...I do know several women who have been screwed by the system same as I was. They are citizens too and I would hope to garner thier support. Should we not also teach our daughters that boys are ok? Or is that the province of brothers?
And therein lies the problem.
Teach boys how to treat wimmin? Well, each woman I know gets treated according to their behaviors and actions. When they beyatch about "you don't respect women", I reply, no, not automatically. There is no social construct or personal advantage to respect bad behavior, selfishness, slowness to the hip when it is time to pay, attention whoring, and lack of taking personal responsibility for thier actions and choices. In fact, if this is respected, you will get MORE of that behavior, rather than the preferred less of that.
In fact, I have one absolutely delightful friend, who is "man friendly", but liberal as hell, who no longer engages with me, even though she has earned my respect, just because I refuse to give it out like candy to others who have not.
So, lots of work on having boyz respect wimmin' of all stripes, but no work teaching wimmin' to respect guys who do the heavy lifting, pay the majority of the bills, keep them safe and out of harms way, and the like.
I wonder how long we can be so stupid as to be majorly disrespected, and continue to put our talents, yea, our lives, on the line for those who do not reciprocate, and more importantly, see no need to reciprocate?
Uppity men, rise up against the oppressive machine!!!
Oh, sorry, wimmin used that line in the 60's, with some modification. Think anyone will remember?
Geezer
Post a Comment
<< Main