This is actually a post from DelusionDamage. I figured I'd copy it here, since he's going off line soon and I think the subject matter is illuminating.
Why is western culture becoming so much more hostile to guys (particularly in the US)? Demographics.
This theory is appealing to me. It would appear that similar phenomena can be seen throughout the west, though the USA (with its larger consumerist culture) may be the most exaggerated case. This is problematic, of course, since the USA is a cultural arbiter. Thus, we see the spread of such traits across the planet.
It could be possible, however, that such a spread is not indefinite, but rather linked to demographic trends. Older women dominate our society, and we see that in the cultural trends that we're forced to endure. Recent decades have just seen them gain more power than they've ever had, and they'll only gain more in the next couple of decades as they enter the twilight of their lives and their husbands begin to pass on (leaving them even more financial power and influence).
Should that influence wane to any significant extent (and with the decline of the marriages that indirectly supply women with much of this power and the eventual end of the "baby bust" following the boom that gives older women the demographic edge, it probably will), we could begin to see cultural improvements on our side.
Demographics may be the key.
Our generation has seen a demographic trends that has been unusually favorable to older women. There is no guarantee that this favor remains quite as strong in coming generations (again, declines in marriage and generational imbalance), which is good news for us.
Why is western culture becoming so much more hostile to guys (particularly in the US)? Demographics.
Quote:Quote:
Senior women age 50 and older control net worth of $19 trillion and own more than three-fourths of the nation’s financial wealth.
…
Over the next decade, women will control two thirds of consumer wealth in the United States and be the beneficiaries of the largest transference of wealth in our country’s history. Estimates range from $12 to $40 trillion. Many Boomer women will experience a double inheritance windfall, from both parents and husband.
…
Wealthy boomer women are the marquee players in our country’s culture and commerce. They are educated, have a high income, and make 95 percent of the purchase decisions for their households.
…
Women account for 85% of all consumer purchases including everything from autos to health care:
91% of New Homes
66% PCs
92% Vacations
80% Healthcare
65% New Cars
89% Bank Accounts
93% Food
93 % OTC Pharmaceuticals
(Source: http://she-conomy.com/report/facts-on-women/)
In a consumer culture, whoever has the money to consume makes the culture.
Why does our culture devalue men and make fun of the stereotypically male things that appeal to us? Why does it want so desperately to make us feel like desiring youthful female beauty is wrong? Why is it so ridiculously concerned with things like PC etiquette and protecting impressionable children from the risk of seeing a flash of boob on TV (while news footage of people blown to pieces in the streets of Baghdad is A-OK)?
When you start by acknowledging that our culture’s consumer god is a 50+ woman, the dots pretty much connect themselves.
This theory is appealing to me. It would appear that similar phenomena can be seen throughout the west, though the USA (with its larger consumerist culture) may be the most exaggerated case. This is problematic, of course, since the USA is a cultural arbiter. Thus, we see the spread of such traits across the planet.
It could be possible, however, that such a spread is not indefinite, but rather linked to demographic trends. Older women dominate our society, and we see that in the cultural trends that we're forced to endure. Recent decades have just seen them gain more power than they've ever had, and they'll only gain more in the next couple of decades as they enter the twilight of their lives and their husbands begin to pass on (leaving them even more financial power and influence).
Should that influence wane to any significant extent (and with the decline of the marriages that indirectly supply women with much of this power and the eventual end of the "baby bust" following the boom that gives older women the demographic edge, it probably will), we could begin to see cultural improvements on our side.
Demographics may be the key.
Our generation has seen a demographic trends that has been unusually favorable to older women. There is no guarantee that this favor remains quite as strong in coming generations (again, declines in marriage and generational imbalance), which is good news for us.
Know your enemy and know yourself, find naught in fear for 100 battles. Know yourself but not your enemy, find level of loss and victory. Know thy enemy but not yourself, wallow in defeat every time.