Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 12, 1993 TAG: 9304120266
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: C2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
MEN EMASCULATE THEMSELVES
IN RESPONSE to John Barnhart's March 21 letter to the editor, "Look what feminism has wrought," I suggest that, rather than blaming feminism for " . . . the destabilization of the family . . . the divorce rate . . . [turning] families into two-headed monsters that leave disputes unresolved and men feeling emasculated, . . . and [encouraging] sexual promiscuity," he look at what his own gender is doing.The Virginia Corrections Department says that 85 percent of all prison inmates are male and 97 percent of violent criminals are male. According to other statistics, 90 percent of all alcoholics and more than 83 percent of convicted drug dealers are males. On the other hand, ask any church official of any denomination if more men or women attend. When was the last time you heard of a female serial killer, or a female rapist? Does Barnhart think women are supposed to just sit around being subordinate to these men? From his letter, one would think he feels that any man, because of his gender, should be able to quickly silence any dispute, and in his favor. Could that be why so many men are killed or injured in barroom brawls?
If all of those men who are taking and selling drugs, raping and killing people, hanging around bars fighting with each other, and/or serving time in jail for such offenses were with their families at home being decent husbands and fathers, or in church with the women, there would be greater stability in the family, a lower divorce rate, fewer "monstrous" disputes, and less time for promiscuity.
How dare Barnhart blame feminism for "emasculating" males! It's apparent that they are doing a very good job of emasculating themselves. If men would stop making these ridiculous accusations against feminists and get their own acts together, they wouldn't have to feel threatened by the power and stability of women. ELIZABETH BISHOP TROUTVILLE