An Enquiry into the Duties of the Male Gender — Pt. 3

Diversity

“I contain multitudes” — Leaves of Grass, Walt Whitman

Diversity has become a strange word. It just means ‘a variety’ but now it has come to represent a whole political flashpoint, encapsulating discussion around race, gender, sexuality and even politics itself. For the purposes of this essay I’m not particularly interested in this fraught, social meaning of the word but, instead, what it means for men and perceptions of masculinity.

One of the biggest problems with the meninist definition of masculinity is how restrictive it is. While it is supposed to be empowering it is ultimately demanding all men act or behave in the same way. This is not only foolish, it’s impossible. No two humans are alike. Of course there are standardised behaviours we all exhibit but this concept of masculinity demands your identity is tied to these behaviours, that your thoughts and feelings should revolve around it. It’s silly. We are complex beings, internally and externally. Trying to enforce a one dimensional construct onto every man is limiting and, frankly, childish.

The concept of a man who can fight and win against any challenger, who can build anything with his bare hands, who is built like the side of a fridge, who is a strong leader, who…