Style or Substance

Abstract

The need for insights into how men could support the creation of feminist realities sometimes pushes into the background a deeper analysis of how men support the maintenance of the status quo. Given that most people live in genderized societies, every man reacts to challenges of the existing order of the sexes. This article categorizes the different responses men give to women's demands. Passive blocking and active aggressive techniques are well-known reactions of every dominant group. A third response set— associative techniques—includes shows of goodwill or harmonizing; special attention is given to the technique of self-presentation. By this, men try to manage the impression they make on women. It is shown that men's control over women can be very subtle and their potential for assimilation large. For the development of antisexist masculinities, it is essential to know the traps men might fall into or might construct on their way to new shores of manhood.