I was about to write a post on the need to focus on the upcoming presidential campaign now if we are going to end sexist remarks on the campaign trail (think Donald Trump as a candidate). Then I tripped across a wonderful column in Newsweek entitled “How to be a Real Man.” I have written a lot on this site about the need to stay positive so I decided to practice what I preach. Instead of giving any ink to outrageous remarks this week, I direct your attention to the author of “How to be a Real Man,” Dan Mulhern, husband of Jennifer Granholm, the former governor of Michigan.
Apparently, after reading Newsweek’s April 26th cover story about how the current recession has left many men feeling shamed and powerless, Mulhern composed a letter to his son Jack, which was printed in the May 1st edition of the magazine. He talks poignantly about what happens when a couple’s career paths shift from the traditional model, as theirs did, sharing both his initial feelings of vulnerability and the ensuing “tremendous gains.”
I’d say more—but the fact is—I can’t say it better than Mulhern, as exemplified by the following statements from his letter: “You need not fear strong women, or dismiss gentle men,” and “A strong man, Jack, is not threatened by others’ greatness. He’s comfortable with his own.”
Mulhern closes his letter to Jack by saying, “It is a great time to be a man.” I love his positive conclusions about the value of evolving gender roles, and I am going to seek out more examples of courageous men to share on this site. In fact, this might be an approach worthy of our consideration—spending less time responding to the sexist commentary of the small-minded, the misinformed, or the intentionally cruel—and more time supporting the men who understand that real equality for women will only exist when there are also new life choices for men.
The women’s movement had (and continues to have) a powerful and positive impact on the lives of women and girls here and around the globe. Now men like Mulhern are hoping to do the same for the boys.
Cynthia
p.s. Mulhern writes about leadership at danmulhern.com; see his site for information on his new project: StrongMenSpeak.
