04 January, 2014

Death of the masculine man?


Death of the masculine man?

More than 60 per cent of young British blokes have admitted they don't feel masculine in a shocking new survey. So what's changed in the last few decades to cause men to feel this way? Find out.

A study of the male psyche in Britain over the past 80 years has revealed a shocking insight into the masculinity of blokes today. And believe it or not - it seems the British men of today are more comfortable ironing than they are under a car bonnet!

'The Brylcreem Mandom Report 2008' delves into the changing behaviours and attitudes of men aged 18-29 over the past eight decades, and asks the eternal question – what maketh the man?

The results of the study show that over the last 80 years men have steadily lost touch with their instinctual masculinity and the traditional roles that defined them, as they've put down their handyman tools, lost their foothold as the 'man of the house', become obsessed with their image and abandoned emotional restraint.

What do you think of this report's findings? Talk about it here .

An average young bloke in the 1920s and 40s considered himself to be masculine and was at ease with his role as stoic provider and protector. He was adept at traditional 'manly' chores, with 73 per cent competent at motor mechanics, 90 per cent able to change a fuse and 80 per cent able to put up a shelf for his Mrs. He was the head of his household and would rather die than cry in front of someone, with half never shedding a tear at all. When it came to the home, only 25 per cent knew how to turn the iron on and just 27 per cent were comfortable in the kitchen.

Over the decades a lot has changed - these days, the young British bloke is more comfortable ironing than getting under his car bonnet. Over 60 per cent are competent ironers, with only 10 per cent able to maintain a car - and almost half can't even change a tyre. Three quarters regularly don an apron in the kitchen and almost 80 per cent take on housework. Young men are so in touch with their emotions, a whopping 85 per cent are comfortable crying in front of others.

Young blokes are also more obsessed with themselves than any other generation, with today's young gun taking 26 per cent longer in front of the mirror than his counterpart in the 40s and two thirds striving to attain a perfectly toned body.

James Brown, founding editor of men's magazine, Loaded, which fuelled the 90s era of the 'Loaded Lad', believes British blokes have been sliding into the process of what he coins 'Gender Surrender':

"A bloke's masculinity used to come effortlessly and his place in the world was clear cut. Nowadays, women are confident and men are confused. As men have been reacting to being told 'how they should behave' rather than 'how they really are', they've crossed the line from just 'changing with the times' to committing outright gender surrender".

According to report, young British women agree that men have stepped too far into the feminine domain and want their 'real men' back, with two thirds of women aged 18-29 complaining they think men are not as masculine as men of yesteryear. A girl also still wants her leading man, with 60 per cent saying they'd prefer a man to take control in their relationship.

"There's no need for men to head back to the cave", Brown says, "but it's clear from the research that a more defined identity needs to be established."

So come on men, put down your manbags, leave your eyeliner at home and reclaim your Mandom!

What do you think of this report's findings? Talk about it here .

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