Minnie’s Musings

Almost in the same breath as trailing yet more analysis of the Andrew Windsor saga (though how one can find a breath to draw in the breathless coverage of the demise of HRH Sleaze in Chief is a mystery) an interview with the author of a book on the danger of unemployed and lonely young men was announced.

Because, apparently, we need to have a good long think about the crisis in masculinity that is happening around the world. The deep rumble of an American man warns that there is nothing more dangerous than disaffected young men.

That may well be the case. Violence is largely the recourse taken by disaffected young men and men in general. Not exclusively. But largely.

My expectation is that this man will advocate a rowing back on recent progress. That women and girls will have to go back to the days of sexual harassment, rape, discrimination and inequality when we have no authority over our own bodies.

My hope is that he will advocate instead for education, enlightenment and a major, international, culture shift. That consent is the norm, equality is the norm, choice is the norm. That young men will understand that they are not being required to relinquish their toys, they are merely being required to share them.

We have been asking to share the toys for hundreds of years. Asking for respect, asking for equality, asking for personal safety for hundreds of years. Now we require it. Because we have power. We went back to work so we have pay packets. Therefore, we have economic power. And that is more powerful than the fist or the gun. Get used to, it gentlemen.