Many people feel that the work for gender equality has changed traditional gender roles, which has made men often feel insecure about their identity and what it means to be a man. Marianne reflects in the text below, which is also published in Dagen and Verdinytt.
In our society, there is a lot of talk about men remaining single and feeling overlooked by women. I see this as a symptom of a deeper problem: In the pursuit of equality, we have erased natural gender roles. The result is that many men seem unsure of what role they should have, and what it really means to be a man.
There is also a thought-provoking paradox here: We have created a society where men are expected to tame their masculinity, where being strong and assertive can be perceived as a threat to equality. But at the same time, I see that when men hold back, do not take the lead or initiative, and avoid standing up, we women simply lose respect for men.
Because when men don't take responsibility and refuse to be clear, it can easily create a feeling of contempt. We despise weakness, which again points out that what we women deep down long for are men who dare to be firm and strong, who take responsibility, and who stand up for what is good and true.
Perhaps we have something to learn from the ancient philosophers, who were concerned with living in harmony with nature. I believe there is something deep within our nature that shows us who we were created to be, and that we flourish as humans when we live in harmony with this nature.
When men can be secure in their masculinity, their strength and sense of responsibility, and women can feel safe and valued, a harmony is created that makes families flourish, and which in turn leads to a flourishing society.
Maybe it is precisely this balance that we need to find our way back to?
