That is, do you feel like your worth as a man is related to your practical utility?
Let’s ask the opposite question… If you’re not useful, what are you doing with your time?
As much as I enjoy spending time in the ‘nothing box’ (i.e. doing nothing productive or of any consequence) I have an innate desire to solve problems, take care of my family and friends, make things better for them, and improve the lives of others in general. The solving of problems allows me to earn a living, yay for me. Everything else just gives me life meaning.
So I’ll say again… Where’s the glory in being useless?
We should reject models of masculinity that demand maleness be connected with performance. “Masculinity must stand for the for the essential core goodness of the self”.
Patriarchal masculinity demands that men perform a gender role. True masculinity celebrates the dignity of humanity without condition.
So you’ve reduced masculinity “having testicles”.
You haven’t really answered my question. If you aren’t useful, what are you?
Human. Reducing humanity to usefulness only makes sense in a dominator model. Domination means extraction of utility from others. Maleness is good not for the reason that men are objects to be used. Maleness is good in itself. Patriarchal masculinity tells the lie that manhood is connected to a man’s usefulness, to his capacity to do violence, to fight wars, to take from those who are weaker or lesser.
