© Armand Collin
 |
In what way do you think the image of men has changed? How did we get from a ‘woman as object’ society to a ‘man as object’ society?
It’s all down to the huge changes that have taken place in the roles of men and woman in society. In the Fifties and Sixties, men were in control of everything: politics, the economy, and also the family. Women had a subordinate role, and were regarded as objects in many ways – especially from a sexual point of view.
Today, the woman’s role has changed from being ‘secondary’ to being at the forefront, especially in relationships, and this is why things have changed. As far as personal relationships are concerned, men are having to work hard! Rather than being ‘objects,’ they’re having to follow women.
Modern men take care of themselves by using moisturiser and epilators. Does this mean they’re becoming ‘feminine?’
I don’t like to use the word ‘feminine,’ but sexual roles have certainly become less clear-cut. Men are making headway in ‘feminine’ things such as taking care of their bodies, but they’ll always be well behind women in that respect. We say that their roles are more and more mixed up, but in reality this isn’t really the case. For example, there’s still a big difference in attitudes towards housework: only 2% of men do the ironing! There’s equality and there’s reality.
Email this page to a friend
