The Man Child vs. the Man’s Man

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the potential impact of Kamala Harris becoming the first woman president, and how her selection of Tim Walz as a running mate could help elevate and honor positive masculinity. It explores the challenges facing men in society, the Republican party's response, and how the Democratic party is countering with a different type of male role model in Walz.

🙋 Q&A

[01] The Potential Impact of Kamala Harris Becoming President

1. What could be Kamala Harris's first accomplishment if she becomes president? According to the article, Kamala Harris's first accomplishment could be elevating and honoring the positive side of masculinity, as exemplified by her running mate Tim Walz.

2. How does Tim Walz represent a different type of masculinity compared to the Republican party? Tim Walz is described as a "Midwestern dad" who is a military veteran, high school football coach, and an avid hunter and fisherman. This contrasts with the "swaggering, snarling, cartoonish version of masculinity" represented by the Republican party.

3. What are some of the positive qualities associated with Tim Walz's masculinity? The article highlights qualities such as restraint, honor, service to others, responsibility, and self-sacrifice, which are seen as hallmarks of "manly virtue" and contrast with the "braggadocio, put-downs, disrespect for women, and vulgarity" associated with the Republican party's version of masculinity.

[02] The Challenges Facing Men in Society

1. What are some of the challenges men are facing in society? According to the article, men are struggling in areas such as grades, graduation rates, college attendance, labor force participation, and connection to family and friends. They are also more likely to be lonely and succumb to "deaths of despair."

2. What are some of the structural and cultural factors contributing to these challenges? Structurally, the decline of industrial jobs and the rise of information-age jobs that tend to favor skills more common in women have contributed to the challenges. Culturally, there is a perception that "masculinity" is inherently problematic, and a lack of widespread efforts to improve the lot of boys.

3. How are men responding to these challenges? The article notes that fewer Generation Z men identify as feminists compared to Millennials, and nearly half of men aged 18 to 29 report facing discrimination as men.

[03] The Republican Party's Response

1. How does the article characterize the Republican party's response to the challenges facing men? The article describes the Republican party's response as "reactionary, misogynistic, and smutty," citing examples of the party featuring individuals with questionable personal conduct at its convention.

2. How does the article critique the rhetoric of JD Vance, the Republican party's running mate? The article criticizes Vance's comments about "childless cat ladies" and his use of personal matters, such as Harris's and Buttigieg's family situations, as opportunities for abuse. The article argues that Vance's rhetoric does nothing to encourage men to be their best selves.

3. How does the article view the Republican party's approach to addressing the challenges facing men? The article suggests that the Republican party's approach, exemplified by figures like Trump and Vance, is not constructive and instead offers "contempt for women" and a "brutalist version of masculinity."

[04] The Democratic Party's Response

1. How does the article describe the Democratic party's approach to addressing the challenges facing men? The article suggests that the Democratic party, through its selection of Tim Walz as Kamala Harris's running mate, is honoring a different type of masculinity that is more in line with traditional "manly virtue."

2. What are some of the positive qualities associated with Tim Walz's masculinity? The article highlights Walz's background as a Midwestern dad, military veteran, high school football coach, and avid hunter and fisherman, which are seen as positive role models for men.

3. How does the article suggest the public is responding to Tim Walz's representation of masculinity? The article describes a "genre of warm dad memes" that have emerged, conveying a sense of security and comfort associated with Walz's persona, which the article suggests is the type of male role model the country needs.