THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 11, 1994 TAG: 9412090018
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
I was angered by the article ``Are we not men?'' (Daily Break, Nov. 28).
By portraying males frozen with indecision at whether they should make the first move on a date as an example of the results of the men's movement, the writer trivializes the dilemma facing men and women in the '90s, which has everything to do with equality and little to do with sex.
Under the umbrella title ``Men's Movement,'' the article cited examples of childish men fearfully reacting to women's slowly increasing equality with men.
How can you dignify some guy taking about ``reverse discrimination'' when men, on average, still earn far more than women for comparable work?
How can you report with a straight face that college men need protection on campus when women are still being raped at an alarming rate?
If these are ``men's issues,'' then I think the senatorial candidates were wise to steer clear of them in the recent run for office.
Rather than putting these rantings of emasculation out for us to embrace as the ``men's movement,'' why not show them as examples of what the men's movement is supposed to correct - backlash at women's equality with men.
The real men's movement is characterized by men who don't feel the need for a change just for the '90s. It's a large group of men who work hard and love it, care deeply about those around them, are honored to defend their country or home, and don't feel they will be diminished if their significant other makes more money than they do. That men's movement is characterized by staying in one place - standing firm with resolve while the ``boys'' run around clamoring for attention in the media.
JAMES D. CARR
Virginia Beach, Nov. 30, 1994 by CNB