The Myth of Male Power: Why Men Are the Disposable Sex
Description
The Myth of Male Power: Why Men Are the Disposable Sex
by Warren Farrell (Author)
Amazon Review:
The Myth of Male Power, by author and gender-reconciliation champion, Dr. Warren Farrell, is truly a landmark work. Over the course of the next century it will come to be seen for what it is: a bold and inexorable challenge to American society to rethink from its deepest foundations the present and past attitudes and approaches towards gender equality – an approach that has been dominated by victim feminism. The Myth of Male Power confronts the politically correct myths that undermine true equality and gender reconciliation. Given the current climate of politically correct misandry and the feminist hegemony of gender discourse, it takes tremendous courage to challenge the orthodoxy and establishment. Both Dr. Farrell and his publisher, Simon & Schuster, deserve the highest kudos for their willingness to face the fire on this one.
One thing that makes The Myth of Male Power so fair-minded and authentic is that it affirms the legitimate concerns of women. Because of this, no female reader need fear that it is simply the flip side of feminism (ie: an ideology that preaches that society is actually not male-dominated and patriarchal, but female dominated and matriarchal, and that all problems are due to women with men its primary victims). This is important because it helps fair-minded men and women to see that Dr. Farrell is not seeking to replace feminism with masculism, or engage in “backlash”. Indeed it demonstrates his absolute and unwavering commitment to real gender equality and fairness. At the same time, Dr. Farrell does not limit the discussion of gender to women’s issues.
The Myth of Male Power explains how almost all societies in general (but American society in particular) are both matriarchal and patriarchal, how men’s and women’s roles provide unique benefits and limitations on each gender. Both men and women may be seen to be privileged and disadvantaged, each in different ways. Of course, the focus of the book, as the title suggests, is on the male role. This is done not to slight women’s issues, but rather to supplement the ever-growing body of literature and research on gender issues which tends to frame the problems from an essentially female perspective.
Well researched, meticulously documented, and richly footnoted, The Myth of Male Power is sure to appeal to the intelligent reader, as well as to scholars who require the references to verify for themselves that no foul play is underfoot. Using a multi-modal approach, Dr. Farrell combines hard statistics, charts, and data tables, with cartoons, humor, and the moving personal anecdotes of individual men and women.
Despite its fair-minded and rigorously documented approach, it does take courage to read the book. Male readers will no longer be able to console themselves (if ever they did) with the myth that they have all the power and privilege in society. Female readers may feel threatened by the challenge to claim their power and its attendant requirement of authenticity and personal responsibility, rather than continuing to hide behind the apron strings of victim feminism.
Despite the strengths of The Myth of Male Power there will always be detractors to Dr. Warren Farrell’s work. Why? There are reasons that the current climate of feminist misandry exists. A lot of men have a deep psychological investment in the code of chivalry – protecting women against all threats (real or imagined). Such men may misconstrue Dr. Farrell’s challenge as an attack on women. (This is ironic given Farrell’s understanding of women’s issues, and credentials as the only man ever to have been elected three times to the board of directors of N.O.W. in New York city.) Similarly, a lot of women have a deep psychological investment in feminism and its cozy reassurance that women are always victims, never needing to feel responsible for any of the problems in their lives. Such men and women may find that the challenge of The Myth of Male Power is a threat to them and they may object vociferously. Fortunately, however, such voices are beginning to face some opposition. In my own years of experience as a leader in the movement for men’s rights and the establishment of real gender equality, I have seen that men and women alike are now beginning to see through the feminist myths of male power and privilege. Many people are beginning to tire of hearing that women are victims and men oppressors. While this is a good start, the process of correcting society’s anti-male biases is in its infancy. Dr. Farrell’s book will be seen to have played a crucial role in helping us move towards real equality, and mutual love and respect between the sexes.
After reading this book, some readers (both men and women) may feel inspired to help take action to head off American society’s headlong flight towards misandry, masculophobia, and the destruction of fatherhood and the American family. Such readers may consider joining or making a donation to gender-egalitarian organizations that work towards addressing the sex-discrimination faced by men and boys in our society (thus harming everyone, including women). For such readers, the National Coalition of Free Men (on whose Board of Advisors Dr. Farrell sits) offers a unique spring-board for social activism. NCFM is unique in that it is a generalist men’s rights organization, not focussing only on one specific men’s issue (such as father’s rights, men’s health, domestic violence, etc.), and because NCFM, founded in 1977, is a grassroots organizations with chapters, membership, and group meetings across the country. To learn more about the National Coalition of Free Men, please visit our website. For readers interested solely in Fathers’ Rights, the National Congress for Fathers and Children is an excellent organization. Although women are welcome in these organizations, female readers may prefer organizations aimed primarily at women, like the Women’s Freedom Network. The Myth of Male Power includes an appendix listing many other outstanding organizations committed to true gender equality and fairness.
With best wishes for a good read!
Pradeep Ramanathan, Executive Vice-President, National Coalition of Free Men
URL: http://www.facebook.com/pennybutler
Tags: men
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