The message aimed at boys is to suggest that the only way to be a “real man” is to be a bully.
Dog Whistling the Rise of the Feminine
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....its also a way of denigrating men who demonstrate the capacity for compassion, empathy, thoughtfulness and cooperation. In other words, men who display charactaristics we normally associate with women. Thats because in a patriarchal culture, those qualities represent weakness.
At a time when the right wing in this country is consumed with a backlash against the inevitable demise of white male heterosexual dominance, Jeb Bushs presidential campaign might have failed because hes not manly enough - even if he werent showing himself to be incredibly gaffe-prone.
But this call to manliness from our leaders hasnt just come from the right. While not as harsh or widespread as the conservative version, there have been many suggestions that President Obama needs to man up or take off his tutu and put on his boxing gloves. Calling Obama feminized is the heart of Maureen Dowds critique of this President.
All of this is
a kind of sexist dog whistle. Men and women who call themselves feminists need to recognize it for what it is and call it out.
We should be very clear that the presidency is no place for bullies. And rather than signifying weakness, traits like compassion, thoughtfulness and cooperation are exactly the kind of thing were looking for in a leader. Thats true whether the next occupant of the White House is a man or a woman.
MORE:
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2015_09/dog_whistling_the_rise_of_the057382.php