|
|
Extinction of the Metrosexual 09-26-2004 08:47 PM
 |
 |
 |
Response to article, The metrosexual: bound for extinction?
Dr. Laura Berman,
I enjoyed your article about the metrosexual, but I think that you have missed the point entirely.
Men have done little to nothing to enhance their looks during the 19th Century. Before the 1900’s men of stature took great care in grooming. Perhaps the industrial age changed that, since even “the common” man now had some money and was no longer a slave to the wealthy men. The common look became the look of most men.
Men wore heels and skirts into the 1800’s. It was the American influence over much of the world that brought about the changes that we see today. Puritanical values led to the strong clothing distinctions that Americans use to define gender. These distinctions traveled around the world through American corporations. Sales of blue jeans changed the clothing styles of much of the world.
The Consort group that you write about may have done a study, but whether it is scientific is in question. I lead the Men’s Fashion Freedom movement and I have over two hundred and fifty members and contact with hundreds of other men interested in men’s fashion freedom.
Men are taking back their fashion rights and not as your article suggests only coming under the same pressures that women have felt for thousands of years. By the same token it is not so bad for men to feel the need to look good for women. Men have considered themselves owners of women throughout most of history and that has only changed within the last one hundred or so years.
Relationships, no longer based upon men owning women, are built on more than a man’s needs and desires. Women now play a substantial role in relationships and men are recognizing the need to fulfill the needs and desires of women. While many women are not interested in non-“traditional” men, there is quite a population of women who greatly desire metrosexual men. Many of the women who do not support non-“traditional” men base their opinions on their current view of culture and are afraid of the new metrosexual men. The men of the Consort group appear to have the same fear of metrosexual men. Fear of change is common and unfortunate since it does not allow people to grow or evolve.
The word traditional is in quotes, because the tradition referred to is really a very recent tradition. The way that most men dress today is less than four hundred years old and most of today’s men’s clothing is no more than two hundred years old.
Take care,
Troy
bravenet.com