I hear the sound of lots of nails being hit on the head! I'm so glad you wrote this. In this world of constant squabbling I often think that the unfortunate side effect of women quite rightly complaining about the injustices of living in a patriarchy is that the many decent and wonderful men may feel a bit hurt when we (rightly) fight for fairness. The differences you talk about in terms of social interaction are so true, and interesting - how much of it is due to social conditioning and how much to nature? It'll be interesting to see how the two sexes evolve over the next couple of hundred years - that's if our species survives!
Most of my favourite comedians are men but I think they did get a head start on that. Joan Rivers was an outlier!
Thanks for reminding me of The Worm That Turned! I forgot Diana Dors was in it. I loved her.
This comment! 👆Makes this writing malarkey all worthwhile. So glad, like me, you felt this subject warranted discussion. Thanks Jules, much appreciated x
I love your perspective here and the women that you are naming. I agree it never helps to join somebody else’s soap opera. Zero tolerance.
I love your humor, especially the line that a man could be married for 40 years and never know what his wife does for a living. I don’t think you’re joking.
Thank you Prajna. We might be doing them a disservice, not knowing what the missus is up to, but they definitely don’t have a scooby do re. their mates! Which really is kind of refreshing 😀
As a REAL feminist (more below), I thought this was spot on Sharon.
I don't want to be like a man, have EQUALITY with a man etc - I'm so lucky and happy to have been born female (in a westernised country!!). I'm into EQUITY not equality - I'll bake the cakes and you fix the fence. It's certainly true that men are from Mars and women from Venus ........ observation spoiler .......... we're DIFFERENT .......... and hooray for that.
Now that women can, apparently, do anything, I worry about men struggling to find their place in society. No wonder suicides of young males far outnumber that of females .......... but there again, the act of suicide itself allies more to that "let's solve it" attitude of men.
It's such a relief to read a post celebrating the best of masculinity, rather than pretending it's very DNA is toxic. Feminism never caught on with the working classes because working class women loved and wanted to protect their sons, husbands and fathers. With the side-lining of that culture for a a superficial idea of femineity, one that feeds off bourgeoisie neuroticism, we've lost the vitality, purpose and, most sad of all, the symbiotic balance that exists within human beings as much as between.
Speaking as not particularly masculine, but also not camp, male, I miss this. We should treat each other better and mistrust those who would make us enemies in a false zero sum power game.
Thanks so much Dean. I must say that the response to this piece has been overwhelmingly positive, for which I’m pleased. I very much enjoy your work and respect your stance on all manner of issues.
Me you too Sharon. I don't understand a mother wanting to lace her son with genetic guilt and so never bought the idea that this was a majority outlook. I love the symbiotic and inconsistent nature of our species, and mixed-sex company brings out the best in us in my view.
Haha, nicely done Sharon. On behalf of the male gender, I thank you for such a positive review. I feel validated and appreciated which is a nice way to start the day.
Haha, zero interest in drama and low maintenance living is very much me. The last time the Muse went away I used the same plate/crockery combo all weekend. I resented fetching another teaspoon from the drawer at one point.
Oh Sharon there are so many brilliant lines in here as well the big picture - shining a light on their strengths. It’s so well put and so funny too. A great read.
I absolutely adored the two Ronnies and Diana Dors proving we need a balance to make the world 🌎 go around.
I hear the sound of lots of nails being hit on the head! I'm so glad you wrote this. In this world of constant squabbling I often think that the unfortunate side effect of women quite rightly complaining about the injustices of living in a patriarchy is that the many decent and wonderful men may feel a bit hurt when we (rightly) fight for fairness. The differences you talk about in terms of social interaction are so true, and interesting - how much of it is due to social conditioning and how much to nature? It'll be interesting to see how the two sexes evolve over the next couple of hundred years - that's if our species survives!
Most of my favourite comedians are men but I think they did get a head start on that. Joan Rivers was an outlier!
Thanks for reminding me of The Worm That Turned! I forgot Diana Dors was in it. I loved her.
Smashing piece as always 😊
This comment! 👆Makes this writing malarkey all worthwhile. So glad, like me, you felt this subject warranted discussion. Thanks Jules, much appreciated x
Lovely piece! ✨
I love your perspective here and the women that you are naming. I agree it never helps to join somebody else’s soap opera. Zero tolerance.
I love your humor, especially the line that a man could be married for 40 years and never know what his wife does for a living. I don’t think you’re joking.
Well, done.
Thank you Prajna. We might be doing them a disservice, not knowing what the missus is up to, but they definitely don’t have a scooby do re. their mates! Which really is kind of refreshing 😀
As a REAL feminist (more below), I thought this was spot on Sharon.
I don't want to be like a man, have EQUALITY with a man etc - I'm so lucky and happy to have been born female (in a westernised country!!). I'm into EQUITY not equality - I'll bake the cakes and you fix the fence. It's certainly true that men are from Mars and women from Venus ........ observation spoiler .......... we're DIFFERENT .......... and hooray for that.
Now that women can, apparently, do anything, I worry about men struggling to find their place in society. No wonder suicides of young males far outnumber that of females .......... but there again, the act of suicide itself allies more to that "let's solve it" attitude of men.
God bless Roy Keane eh.
I know a lot of lovely men, grew up with a wonderful father and older brother, and I'm so glad you wrote this...
Thank you Laura. Yes I think he’s an acquired taste 🙄
He's a great joke between me and my mother. I didn't know the ‘smiling’ line, one to treasure.
Very good, Sharon. I enjoyed it! You described me exactly.
I wonder if we’ll ever get to the point where someone says, “You know what? Maybe we will be all better if men can behave the way they used to.”
Thank you. Can’t help but agree with you (to some extent) fella!
It's such a relief to read a post celebrating the best of masculinity, rather than pretending it's very DNA is toxic. Feminism never caught on with the working classes because working class women loved and wanted to protect their sons, husbands and fathers. With the side-lining of that culture for a a superficial idea of femineity, one that feeds off bourgeoisie neuroticism, we've lost the vitality, purpose and, most sad of all, the symbiotic balance that exists within human beings as much as between.
Speaking as not particularly masculine, but also not camp, male, I miss this. We should treat each other better and mistrust those who would make us enemies in a false zero sum power game.
Thanks for this Sharon!
Thanks so much Dean. I must say that the response to this piece has been overwhelmingly positive, for which I’m pleased. I very much enjoy your work and respect your stance on all manner of issues.
Me you too Sharon. I don't understand a mother wanting to lace her son with genetic guilt and so never bought the idea that this was a majority outlook. I love the symbiotic and inconsistent nature of our species, and mixed-sex company brings out the best in us in my view.
I might have to be nice to somebody today and it'll be your fault ;-)
Haha, nicely done Sharon. On behalf of the male gender, I thank you for such a positive review. I feel validated and appreciated which is a nice way to start the day.
Thanks Col - glad to hear 🙂
Totally agree shaz, very cool piece! X
Haha, zero interest in drama and low maintenance living is very much me. The last time the Muse went away I used the same plate/crockery combo all weekend. I resented fetching another teaspoon from the drawer at one point.
And yes, 'wanged' is totally a word!
Thank you for validating Lewis. It should be in the Oxford English Dictionary!
Well let's perpetuate its use and make it happen.
Another great piece Sharon. Irascibility …. love this word. 😜
Thanks Janine 🥰
Cheers to the men! And YES this glass was removed from its original drinking establishment by one of them!
Oh Sharon there are so many brilliant lines in here as well the big picture - shining a light on their strengths. It’s so well put and so funny too. A great read.
I absolutely adored the two Ronnies and Diana Dors proving we need a balance to make the world 🌎 go around.
Thanks so much Margaret, lovely to hear.