Horror stories of a ‘feminised workplace’ mask the real crisis in male identity | Finn Mackay
In a thought-provoking critique, Finn Mackay, an academic and author of “Female Masculinities and the Gender Wars,” tackles the controversial thesis presented by American journalist Helen Andrews at the National Conservatism conference. Andrews argues that the increasing presence of women in the workplace has ushered in what she terms the “Great Feminisation,” which she claims is detrimental to societal progress. According to Andrews, this shift has led to an overemphasis on traditionally feminine values—such as collaboration and conflict resolution—at the expense of masculine traits like directness and competitive spirit. She expresses concern for future generations of men, particularly her sons, fearing that this feminized environment may undermine their potential and success.
Mackay, however, challenges the validity of Andrews’ perspective, suggesting that equating men’s worth solely with their professional achievements perpetuates harmful stereotypes that ultimately hinder meaningful discourse on gender equality. He highlights how such views not only fail to recognize the contributions of women in various roles but also reinforce outdated notions of masculinity that can be damaging to men themselves. By framing the workplace as a battleground for masculine values against feminine ones, Andrews’ argument risks alienating both genders and oversimplifying complex social dynamics. Mackay encourages a more nuanced understanding of gender roles, advocating for a collaborative approach that values diverse contributions rather than pitting one against the other.
This discourse is particularly relevant in today’s evolving workplace, where traditional gender roles are increasingly blurred. As organizations strive for inclusivity and diversity, the conversation around gender should focus on fostering environments where both masculine and feminine traits can coexist and thrive. Mackay’s insights urge us to reconsider how we define success and worth in professional settings, advocating for a shift away from rigid stereotypes that limit both men’s and women’s potential. As the debate continues, it’s clear that a more balanced perspective on gender dynamics is crucial for building a fair and equitable society.
Stereotypes that centre men’s worth in their work are strangling sensible debate, and letting down women too
Finn Mackay is an academic and the author of Female Masculinities and the Gender Wars
First it was mechanisation threatening our jobs, then AI and now this: the Great Feminisation is taking over the workplace. Well, that’s according to American journalist Helen Andrews, who popularised this thesis
in a speech
to the National Conservatism conference in Washington DC.
The idea is that too many women in the workplace, and in positions of power, has led to the dominance of stereotypical feminine values, to the detriment of everyone. Girly things like conflict resolution rather than manly plain speaking, fussy HR departments, or a lack of healthy aggressive competition, have all created an imbalance in the workplace and in the world, suppressing stereotypical masculine values. Andrews fears for her sons and their future in the feminised world that she believes threatens us all.
Finn Mackay is the author of Female Masculinities and the Gender Wars, and a senior lecturer in sociology at the University of the West of England in Bristol
Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our
letters
section, please
click here
.
Continue reading…
