I found this old article and found it to be absolutely fascinating. I hope it will be a conversation-starter.

 

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/07/the-end-of-men/8135/

What's the gist of the article? Unfortunately, my PC kicks me off when I try to open the link.

I love The Atlantic. Probably one of my top 5 magazines to read. But I can't open the link either.

What's the gist of the article? Unfortunately, my PC kicks me off when I try to open the link.

 

In a nutshell, that for the first time in world history, women dominate men in the labor force and in general, the world very rapidly appears to prefer matriarchy to patriarchy. Supported by a dizzying number of overwhelming studies and statistics, men are essentially becoming obsolete. However, the article is much more comprehensive than my explanation.

I love The Atlantic. Probably one of my top 5 magazines to read. But I can't open the link either.

 

Hmmm. I'm opening it just fine. Its the June/July edition of The Atlantic, in the "The Sexes" section, article entitled "The End of Men," by Hanna Rosin.

In a nutshell, that for the first time in world history, women dominate men in the labor force and in general, the world very rapidly appears to prefer matriarchy to patriarchy. Supported by a dizzying number of overwhelming studies and statistics, men are essentially becoming obsolete. However, the article is much more comprehensive than my explanation.

 

I remember reading that article. I have all my back copies of The Atlantic here. I'll have to dig it out and re-read it.

 

So, as to the principle, I don't think that men are becoming obsolete. But women are becoming equally important factors in all areas of society for a whole host of reasons.

I remember reading that article. I have all my back copies of The Atlantic here. I'll have to dig it out and re-read it.

 

So, as to the principle, I don't think that men are becoming obsolete. But women are becoming equally important factors in all areas of society for a whole host of reasons.

 

The article states that there are more women than men in the workforce; that women account for 57% of all college students; that of the 8 million jobs eliminated by the Great Recession, 75% were male positions; that women dominate 13 of the 15 fastest growing job industries; that worldwide, all but a small handful of countries have completely abandoned patriarchal preference; and that in requests from fertilization clinics, more than 75% of the requests are for female children.

The article states that there are more women than men in the workforce; that women account for 57% of all college students; that of the 8 million jobs eliminated by the Great Recession, 75% were male positions; that women dominate 13 of the 15 fastest growing job industries; that worldwide, all but a small handful of countries have completely abandoned patriarchal preference; and that in requests from fertilization clinics, more than 75% of the requests are for female children.

 

Before I delve into my thoughts, what are your thoughts on this matter? What do you feel is driving the trend?

Before I delve into my thoughts, what are your thoughts on this matter? What do you feel is driving the trend?

 

I can't speak for Hearsay but I would have to believe the decline of manufacturing is the biggest factor.

I can't speak for Hearsay but I would have to believe the decline of manufacturing is the biggest factor.

 

I agree with that. But why haven't men adapted to the skills needed in the growing sectors where women have made such inroads? Is it possible that men felt that such fields were "beneath" them? I'm not saying it is the case, I'm asking the question because I really want to know. I know men who would rather remain unemployed than take a service job, for instance. None of the many female dominated fields require that women be the one s who take the jobs. Nor are the overwhelmingly well-paying. Could it be that men have clung too long on their "traditional" roles, and resisted the adaptation to the new needs? I really don't know.

 

It does seem to me that women (collectively) have seemed to be more able to adapt. I see it all the time with single mom's. They have to make it work. They have to do something. They have to gain skills and move up, because they have to make more money. It seems to me that women have done a better job of finding a way, while men (collectively) have been slower to give up their ideas of tradition. Women seem more likely to strike out and gain new skills if needed. It sort of reminds me of the book "Who Moved My Cheese".

Could it be that the focus has been on helping women succeed over the past 25 years and men have been ignored?

Could it be that the focus has been on helping women succeed over the past 25 years and men have been ignored?

 

If you mean by Affirmative Action, I disagree. Affirmative Action has also helped minority men, who feed into the collective male decline.

 

Do you feel women have been disproportionately assisted in the last 25 years? In what way have men been ignored? I'm not asking in a hostile tone. Just wanting to see the issue from your view.

In my job we never saw any women (Railroad) except in the office, and as I retired they had three lady Train Engineers. Two of them had more experince than me. I had worked with female conductors/yardmasters/Officals. Thirty years ago this would have never happened.

If you mean by Affirmative Action, I disagree. Affirmative Action has also helped minority men, who feed into the collective male decline.

 

Do you feel women have been disproportionately assisted in the last 25 years? In what way have men been ignored? I'm not asking in a hostile tone. Just wanting to see the issue from your view.

 

Just like you, I'm just asking questions. I don't know the answers.

 

As to affirmative action, it was aimed at 100% of the women and 15%? of the men. That would have to have an impact on current numbers I would think.

Before I delve into my thoughts, what are your thoughts on this matter? What do you feel is driving the trend?

 

I have a lot to say, but some of it would get me in really hot water, so I'll try and simmer.

 

I believe that there has been a feminization of boys (children) as a result of the "women's movement." Boys are now taught not to fight, to have indoor voices, and a myriad of other things that could form a separate thread.

 

Certainly the conversion from an economy in which we made things to a service economy is a factor. Women can get paid for what formerly was household duties.

 

The equalization of the sexes by operation of law, without the concomitant equalization of results. An example, women now work just as much or more outside the home, but are still treated preferentially by the courts in custody decisions, in most cases (I have long experience with this) for no discenrible reason other than they are a mother.

 

There are others but I'll start with those, for discussion.