Modern society is faced with a conflict of typical male and female roles. And there is a modern world in which these roles cease to be relevant. Masculine and feminine qualities were necessary and sufficient for the life of a traditional family. In the articles presented, the reader sees two opposing opinions about gender roles and feminine men. It is important to contrast both articles to find out which of the opinions is the fairest.
The analyzed Danish articles present directly opposite opinions on the question of the normativity of feminine men. In the Birka’s article, the reader may note that the author says that there is no sense in traditional men: “the fact is that in an era when there is no need to hunt, the traditional division of labor is not necessary” (Øhlenschlæger, 2020). While the author of the second article claims that Harry Styles undermines traditional values: “No society can survive without courageous men” (Selsing, 2020). In the traditional way of society, a muscular body, the ability to kill prey and provide for a woman were considered important qualities for a man. Consequently, I believe that in our time, these qualities have already lost their relevance.
Moreover, basic human rights do not provide for murder for expressing one’s views through appearance. Selsing considers Harry Styles as a threat to the moral values: “it normalizes the idea that gender is a social construct and promotes a feminine man as an exemplary one” (Selsing, 2020). “No one forces boys to wear tights and lipstick, the goal is simply to be able to do without being an outcast”(Øhlenschlæger, 2020). So, the author writes that the photo of Harry Styles only instills confidence in boys who feel like outcasts. Selsing writes “Stiles’ photo demonstrates that gender is chosen by people themselves,” but this is only an image and does not relate to gender in any way. Birka considers the photo as an “attack for the right of self-expression”, and not propaganda against values.
Therefore, it is important to note that the traditional image of a masculine man is a relic of the past. In the present time, women do not need a breadwinner and a fighter. The image of a man in a dress can be both his recognition of the identification of himself with the opposite gender, or just the image he likes. However, both exclude murder because of personal views on self-expression.
References
Eva Selsing. (2020). ”Verden har ikke brug for flere feminine mænd”. Berlingske.dk.
Birka Øhlenschlæger, elev, Herningsholm Erhvervsskole. (2020). ”Tværtimod, Eva Selsing – feminine mænd er lige, hvad verden har brug for”. Berlingske.dk.