A Journey From Masculinity to Metrosexuality
A journey of seeing transformation in men from being macho and masculine to being metrosexual and chivalrous.
Rachna
5/29/20262 min read
We live in a fast paced world where we see life is a competition in every aspect. But one thing that I feel has really changed over the years are the men of the society. Well not men of-course! But a large section of men in society have evolved. While there are many who are still as toxic and regressive, I choose to see the positive side.
Earlier masculinity was a major parameter that accounted for the kind of man one is. But today it’s the kindness and support to the females, not just the one’s in their lives but in general. Men have gone from not crying to prove toughness to expressing openly to what they feel. Isn’t that just relieving? He can speaking about emotions without being tagged as a weakness? Glad that men crying or expressing is not a sign of weakness anymore.
Another shift I that I see and a major one is men contributing in daily chores. From cooking to cleaning to taking care of kids, all this is not a women’s job anymore. It’s a shared responsibility. Atleast men have begin to realise that it is. This is not a ‘Raja Beta’ era anymore. Husbands cooking is one of the best form of support men can show. Cooking is a survival skill not a gender baised role.
Not just towards women, it is equally significant that men should take care of their children. I see fathers changing baby diapers or giving them bath is seen as below their position in the society. (Yes! Shocking) But thankfully I see this changing. Millennials are the new generation parents and I see men in the most supportive generation that male category has ever seen. From staying up nights, to changing diapers to every single thing that is a responsibility for BOTH the parents is now being well accepted and acted upon. But that is 4 in 10 families that do so. We still have a long way to go.
Apart from shared responsibility and accruing women as equals, one very significant shift that this era has seen is accepting one own self. Men have been taught to be tough, macho, and unshakable. Beard, moustache, well built body are what made men significant and relevant. However, I see men today take care of themselves. How can taking care of oneself make you less of a man? Men have been more aware of themselves than ever before. They take pedicures, do skin cares, have fashion sense and even take therapies to feel better. In short, even men today want to look and feel beautiful. Isn’t it amazing to see that men were glorified for being ungroomed, shabby and raw are now wanting to feel good about themselves not just physically but mentally.
It is high time that men should be given the space they need. They should not be looked down upon if they want skin care. They should not be judged if they want pedicures to feel relaxed. They should not be considered less of themselves if they want to cry their heart out. We cannot be supportive to one section of the society to be beautiful, fragile and soft while other half to be tough and ineffable. Equality means emotionally equality for both.