Ambo
Metrosexual male of course means fashion, style, image etc. It is a fashion gimmick, but this gimmick has to be sold through the media. In the past this type of “sell” has been most evident in women’s media, such as women’s magazines which sell more copies than all other types of magazines combined.

However these magazines sell more than fashion, as they also purposely try and make the reader feel insecure, unhappy and stressed. Then the reader has to buy the next copy of the magazine as “comfort food” or they have to have a “make over” by buying the advertised clothes, new hair style, new furnishings, new man, new me etc

All this was exposed by Myrna Blyth, in a book called “Spin Sister:- How the Women of the Media Sell Unhappiness -- and Liberalism -- to the Women of America”
http://www.palmdigitalmedia.com/product/book/excerpt/16417
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/05/1078464632582.html

In most articles there has to be a victim.

“This is what Blyth calls "the victim virus" or the "Perpetual Victim Story". "Women respond to hard news stories in an emotional way," she writes, so quotes are routinely changed or invented and photos altered.”

If investigated, the articles in these magazines will often "point the finger" at men for this imagined or brainwashed victimisation.

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This article mentions Goward (ie“ Pru Goward is alluding to. While she puts it in terms of men doing more housework, what she’s talking about is a greater commitment to supporting women and family.”)

Goward called for an enquiry (and got it) into work, family, parenting http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/fhs/workandfamily/index.htm

However, Goward has made many stereotyped, generalised, maligning remarks about men, husbands, and fathers, and she attempts to make women feel “victimised” by men. She is no better than an article in a woman’s magazine, and she started the enquiry by making the maligning remarks about men and their fathers (bottoms)

If investigated, almost all her maligning remarks about men are not based on research, or if they are, then it is normally “selective” type research where positive aspects of men are overlooked. She knows this, and so does the HREOC

Timkins – I already agreed w/U that the metrosexual is a media construct – didn’t need the additional diatribe. As for your further comments – which did not address my question – they add nothing to the debate and would appear to be an attempt by U to hijack the topic for your own agenda - that of blaming women for male self esteem. Take it to another forum, mate, or stick to the topic. Cheers

I agree that the 'metrosexual' label is a clever marketing ploy designed to expand the cosmetics and fashion markets. Having said that, I'm now an enthusiastic user of a lightly perfumed aftershave balm that is only sold by one of those 'aromatherapy' franchises, since I was given some as a present by my partner.

On the other hand, she asserts that I am at my most seductive when wielding a vacuum cleaner or standing at the kitchen sink...

...much cheaper than expensive cosmetics and certainly more 'productive'!

Morgan ;)

Daniel,

I agree that men don't need to go down the mascara road like women. Your feminist colleagues love to remind us about the male ego but when it comes to the female ego, vanity (narcissism?), they're not so forthcoming. We have enough problems - we don't need to adopt feminine ones too.

I also agree with you that the continued blurring of the lines between men and women doesn't help. But you come up with some perplexing ideas on why.

You write "young men [footballers] have taken on dysfunctional roles and don’t know how adult men should behave."

But then you go on to suggest that this is because men haven't done what feminists asked (apparently we've just adopted the "modus operandi" of women)

Do you really think young men are going to learn how to behave like men by asking women? Do women ask men to teach them how to behave like women?

By taking this approach you're suggesting that men and the masculine have no value and can only be validated by feminine approval (as if feminists are somehow a repository of femininity, or even represent most women). This view shows a remarkable lack of self-confidence and is the reason WHY young men are dysfunctional and are confused about their roles.

Is this the sort of "more equal society" you say feminism was looking for?

You need to understand that these views are part of the problem not the solution. You also need to understand that androgynist ideologues like Pru Goward are part of the problem. And you also need to understand that men who write negative articles about men in order to seek some sort 'morally superior' status from the sisterhood are also part of the problem.

Ambo,
“for your own agenda - that of blaming women for male self esteem”

Really? Is this true is it?

Still can’t understand your questions much, or what you are on about.

This “metrosexual male” stuff is obviously tied up with fashion, image etc. Next week or next year it might be “manly male”, or “hip, hop and happy male”, or “me, me, me male”. Who knows what type of sales gimmick it will be, but these types of sales gimmicks have been done countless times in women’s media and in women’s fashion.

The end result, (as I have tried to give examples of in 350 words):- many women have become addicted to this type of media, that also brainwashes them, makes them very confused about themselves, and eventually makes them very unhappy (and most of this women’s media and fashion is developed by women themselves, and not men)

Hopefully men won’t be sucked into a similar type of whirlpool, that eventually becomes very destructive to them and to others.

And THAT is what I am on about.

Don’t know if your asking question about Pru Goward or not, who was mentioned in the article, but who is no better than many types of women’s media.

Why is it that Online Opinion comment posters leap to post comments on any subject vaguely to do with sex, yet almost completely neglect many other articles?