Ted, > Explain to me what homophobia means to you and then what manliness means to you.
A man is inclined toward being the provider, the protector, the one who can be relied upon for getting the job done and bringing home the bacon. Naturally the man will want to project an image, an impression of strength. Emotional vulnerability is too often confused with a sign of weakness, doubt, and yes ... effeminate qualities.
Homophobia, of course, is the fear and/or hatred of anything homosexual. It can be related to the man wanting to project an image of manliness, but it sure doesn't have to be. After all, women can also suffer from homophobia.
The problem I have is when a so-called "scientific report" automatically equates the two. Sure, men are reluctant to emotionally open up to male friends, but to call that "afraid of being seen as gay" is to rush to an inaccurate judgement.
Bottom line is this. Lots of guys who aren't afraid of homosexuals are still reluctant to open up emotionally to other men. You want to accuse them of being homophobes? Then you would be contributing to the emasculation of American society, because your rush to judgement will only isolate them further.
And I contend that men need close male friends in order to be, well, men.
Tenchusatsu |
