I think men, if forced into it, could fulfill traditional feminine roles better than women could fulfill traditional masculine roles. This may be the irony of feminism – women just can’t do what men can do, but, ironically, I DO think men could do what women can do, and maybe even better (if it came down to that). I think men can and should be both warriors and fathers. There’s nothing a man can’t do, even if it means the humble work of nurturing and raising children – that’s the masculine attitude.

Interesting. I will think on this. Part of the male mentality is the ability to conceive and execute plans; I’m not sure the male mind works as well for situations where there is no goal other than following a path. It’s what separates the men from the boys.

I believe that the natural and ideal family unit is a man and his wife, I believe that the masculine and feminine compliment each other. But in a worst case scenario, I actually believe a single father is better than a single mother. I am also reminded of the Japanese comic-book epic, Lone Wolf and Cub, where the main character is cutthroat “ronin,” but also a single father. I think men, if forced into it, could fulfill traditional feminine roles better than women could fulfill traditional masculine roles. This may be the irony of feminism – women just can’t do what men can do, but, ironically, I DO think men could do what women can do, and maybe even better (if it came down to that). I think men can and should be both warriors and fathers. There’s nothing a man can’t do, even if it means the humble work of nurturing and raising children – that’s the masculine attitude. We’ll do it all if we have to!

mynationalistpony.tumblr.com

Perhaps a post dedicated to showing how traditionalist gender roles are reinforced by MLP rather than attacked by it is in order. For example, soldiers and labourers are universally male in the show, as are most of the athletes. In one episode, Twilight Sparkle, the uber-pony with the strongest magic, causes a complete disaster by trying to do the work of male farm worker colts. It’s also worth noting that both the dragons that feature in the show have both been male, and even in instances where the “Villian” is male, it’s inverted; the “Diamond Dogs” are industrious miners who have accumulated masses of gems and built underground caverns. They are ultimately “defeated” by submitting to a female pony simply so she’ll shut up rather than through any show of revolutionary force.

In a nutshell, the genders do not compete on egalitarian playing field, each has their own distinct role that, when transgressed, leads to distaster. The concept of “Equality” simply does not occur in ponyville, everypony deals with reality as-is and QED concepts of political equality and wealth redistribution are totally absent. Perhaps your own words are best used here:

“[In Ponyville] each gender has a role which is essential and cannot be denied. These roles are preserved by the fact that they are distinctive, and cannot be swapped.”

Dr. Shaym is a masculinist and likes My Little Pony:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxpU6ThKc5Q

My own take on masculinity: our species character was mostly formed in the hunter-gatherer stage. Very long time. The human male’s transition from/initiation into manhood was complete when he show his fathering prowess, ability to fight, and took part in feeding/resourcing the group especially through hunting/fishing. That has morphed thru the sedentary and civilized period of our evolution into three virtues for manhood: strength/power, courage and skill. (A weak, fearful or inept male will not be thought manly by anyone.)

Two further thoughts: specialization can grant access to the tribe of men, ie, if you excel at one of those three it will compensate for defects in the others.

Most men are, and must be “betas”, members of groups of which they are not the leader. Leaders/alphas are always a minority. This is not unmasculine. On the contrary, it is essential for masculinity in the species. Prime example: the Marines. All these men but the Commander of the Marines must submit to a higher authority. (Even he is subject to the Joint Chiefs, President, etc.).

And the hero is a particular type of the archetypal masculine. He can be a husband and father, but he need not be. Thru specialization,
great achievement in courage or skill, he can be untethered to a women, even childless (Beowulf) and still shine in the constellation of the masculine.

Steve Jobs and Bill Gates may not be inspiring examples of manhood. But what about JP Morgan, for example? His vast accumulation of wealth and power thru the very masculine technology of mines, shipping, railroads, etc gives him a testosternone rating that the other guys seem not to have.

Keep thinking and writing. You’ve got something important to say.