The State of the American Man in 2010. And Why Cosmopolitan Isn’t Doing Anybody Any Favors.
So askmen.com just released the results of its annual “Great Male” survey, and damn if their results aren’t fascinating.The best bits:
- When asked what defines a “real man” in 2010, a full fifty percent said “being a great father and husband who takes care of his family.”
- Similarly, the ultimate male status symbol? Having a family, which ranked higher than a high-profile career, a beautiful wife, a sports car, or a nice house.
- And ninety-four percent said that they either are in a relationship with a woman who makes more than them or that being in one wouldn’t bother them.
Given the “mancession,” what’s going on with boys in school, and the gains that women have made in the last couple of decades, we’re going through a critical moment of re-evaluation when it comes to men and women and the roles that we play. And these responses feel eerily like the responses that women might have given fifty years ago, no? Are men the new women? Is this shift going to end with a full role-reversal? Maybe.
But not so fast. Cosmopolitan magazine did a corresponding survey this year, and damn if it isn’t the stupidest thing we’ve ever seen. The Great Female Survey doesn’t ask nearly the same number of questions, and sticks to stale stereotypes and gag-worthy ideas about what’s important to women today. “Money Matters” is limited to a single question about who should pay for a date. Vomit.
The few interesting findings are relegated to a random miscellaneous other insights category. They are:
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46% of women say that a beautiful house is the ultimate status symbol. A successful husband or boyfriend came in second place, with 29%.
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44% of women define a “real woman” as someone who can “do it all.” Being a good mother and wife who takes care of her family came in second, with 33%.
Cosmo, this is interesting. How many women wish they had a C-cup, not so much. Ugh. If a site as vapid as askmen.com can make one of the leading magazines for women look dumb, we’ll hold off on declaring victory just yet. Where, oh where is the modern-day Sassy? We miss you! We need you!!!
-jesse
