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Some thoughts on International Men's Day:
Yes, there's a distinct smell of "where's Straight Pride parade?" and "when's White History Month?", as, obviously, evidenced by all the gammons moaning in March on International Women's Day "when's International Men's Day?"
Yes, there's a distinct smell of "where's Straight Pride parade?" and "when's White History Month?", as, obviously, evidenced by all the gammons moaning in March on International Women's Day "when's International Men's Day?"
Well, it's today. So there's that.
However: if your hot take on it is *purely* limited to the above - that it's *nothing* more than a reactionary day started by the equivalents to MGTOW or MRA groups, then I suggest that you are part of the problem:
However: if your hot take on it is *purely* limited to the above - that it's *nothing* more than a reactionary day started by the equivalents to MGTOW or MRA groups, then I suggest that you are part of the problem:
(That goes for both sides - the chauvinists crowing that "we've" got "our" own day, and the wet liberals performatively checking their privilege by deriding it as nothing more than a day for the anti-woke.)
Instead - *especially* this year - I believe it is important to note that yes, it does have a whiff of anti-SJW about it, and that's a definite conversation to be had.
But *also* that it hints towards mental health conversations for men that are difficult for men to have.
But *also* that it hints towards mental health conversations for men that are difficult for men to have.
And those conversations are difficult *because* of all the same reasons why International Women's Day is so important, because of how society is set up to condition us (no great insight there, we've known that for decades)
But this year in particular, a *lot* of blokes are going to have lost their jobs - their status as breadwinner, maybe. Or just their purpose in life, as they see it.
There's a lot of "shame" entwined in losing your job and feeling worthless.
There's a lot of "shame" entwined in losing your job and feeling worthless.
A lot of men will have had to take on "extra "responsibilities around the house as they've worked from home - childcare, housework, cooking, cleaning etc that maybe are considered "woman's work."
(I don't consider those to be woman's work, so I won't expand too much here)
(I don't consider those to be woman's work, so I won't expand too much here)
(...but I'm aware of the phenomenon from colleagues, friends and acquaintances, so I'll leave it posted for discussion and thought)
And then, just the sheer brutality of the past year - lockdown and isolation is *tough*. I'm sure a lot of us thought we'd be LARPing "Walden",
And then, just the sheer brutality of the past year - lockdown and isolation is *tough*. I'm sure a lot of us thought we'd be LARPing "Walden",
...but Thoreau a) had a choice, and b) was still getting his clothes washed by his mum* and regularly having dinner with his mates.
(*not strictly true, but he wasn't doing it himself)
(*not strictly true, but he wasn't doing it himself)
But it certainly hasn't been the grand adventure, for many blokes, of sourdough making, evening bbqs and solitary self-improvement that it may have seemed in March.
(I'm not even touching on key-workers, because that would horrifically patronising of me, as I'm not one)
(I'm not even touching on key-workers, because that would horrifically patronising of me, as I'm not one)
So: yes - by all means, have the "it's reactionary bullshit" discussion", but add the "BUT: it's important to recognise that you should reach out to your friends, and check that they're okay", because we're conditioned to pretend always that we are.
Check in on your friends.
Check in on your friends.
(Addendum:
This is aimed at men, not women. Chances are good: the women in your life already know this)
This is aimed at men, not women. Chances are good: the women in your life already know this)
