Several years ago, my friend, Dr. Jed Diamond explained how
masculine acculturation was creating a huge obstacle for men in the
workforce: both young and old. As the world moves from an industrial
model to a "post-industrial" (or knowledge-based) economy, the skill
sets most in demand evolve away from brute strength (construction and
manufacturing) and systems and problem-solving (engineering, etc.) and
toward sharing, empathy, and networking. These last are the very skills
that have traditionally been beaten out of the males of our western
culture. Those men who, in the past, have dared to develop their
"feminine" side have paid dearly with their self-esteem (dancers,
artists, decorators, florists, etc., etc.). As a result, the driving
force behind our economic engine is reflecting the skills that empower
it: it's becoming decidedly female.
Now, we find
ourselves plunged in a global recession. As national economies falter,
one after another, and the world-wide demand for goods and services
dries up, companies cut back on staff and unemployment skyrockets. Who
are these people being laid off? They are overwhelmingly male.
The bulk of the male job market remains focused in traditionally
'macho' corners of the economy; and these are exactly the corners that
are losing jobs at a frightening pace. In a well-publicized article
last week, The New York Times reported that fully 82% of the job losses in this current recession have affected male workers.
