Stephen Tippins in the American Conservative takes the Facebook/social media critique in the direction of “gender performance” in a way I hadn’t ever heard before:
Of particular concern for conservatives in the onslaught of social technology is its effect on masculinity; for modern man is not man in any real sense of the word. He is gender neutral and void of all chivalrous notions, save for vestiges in door-holding and table manners.
Tippins’ main point seems to be that Facebook encourages a weak, banal form of social connection that is characterized by inane gossip and narcissistic examinations of the self and others. He lays this at the feet of the feminist movement:
The feminist movement was consummated at least two generations ago, but the aggression continues. Eventually, the post-feminist woman, believing that she epitomizes equality and choice, will assimilate all men into her collective, until we all resemble either the metrosexual…. or the spineless runts that these women dominate at home.
The problematic feminist critique aside (you can just as easily say that women have been made “masculine” by the feminist movement if you wanted to go down the essentialist road), the implication is that being “networked” on Facebook or other forms of social media is akin to “being assimilated…into her collective.” A “real man” is not able to be captured by the network, but stands apart from it (see John Gault in the Fountainhead).
While I disagree with the author’s reduction of the possible ways of “being a man” to an essentialist choice between either John Wayne or a spineless runt, I’m intrigued by this idea of Facebook as being inherently feminist). Social Bakers has a great run down on gender differences in Facebook use. They find that there are more women than men on Facebook:
but more importantly women post more and disclose more about themselves:
According to feminist standpoint theory, women disclose more on Facebook because of different “cognitive styles” that result from the different “standpoints” of men and women in a patriarchal society.
The masculine cognitive style is abstract, theoretical, disembodied, emotionally detached, analytical, deductive, quantitative, atomistic, and oriented toward values of control or domination. The feminine cognitive style is concrete, practical, embodied, emotionally engaged, synthetic, intuitive, qualitative, relational, and oriented toward values of care.
If Facebook is about disclosure and connection with intimate and semi-intimate others, then it would seem to be more appealing to those who care about and are able to cultivate relationships (e.g. those who can “emotionally engage” and are “embodied” and “oriented towards values of care”). I haven’t thought about it too deeply, but I’d suggest that if the outcome of men joining Facebook is to have them adopt more “feminine qualities” then that’s all the better for society (trust me, there are still plenty of models of hypermasculinity out there for anyone who wants to find them). Personally, I think we’d be better off with more “integrated” men and women that cultivated the virtuous qualities of both the “masculine” and the “feminine.”
I’d really be interested in what others think about this.
Comments 22
Stephen. — March 1, 2012
Frankly, (to speak in a bit of a stereotype for a minute) we need to have men more capable of sharing their emotions. Far too often we have men who simply cannot bring themselves to do this. Facebook gives a relatively comfortable outlet. I have had many friends on facebook, whom in "real life" never really divulge emotional insecurity, post lots of emotional issues plainly for everyone to see. And I think the re-affirmation of their feelings, from friends talking to them, is good for psychological development.
Also, this article had a few typos, not to be pedantic.
S. Jones — March 2, 2012
I find it interesting that no one calls the billions of women dominated in their homes by men (if not outright abused by them) "spineless runts". I think many people believe relationships and particularly cohabitation and marriage are more egalitarian than they really are. In reality, these things are mostly war zones where, like most war zones, the battle (however subtle it is or isn't) is over power and control. It's socially acceptable for women to be the losers in that fight for domestic power and control, but not men, lest they be called 'spineless runts'. Pretty messed up. But when you consider that the only reason women and men can tolerate each other at all is that reproduction/sexual business programmed into them, it makes sense how two disparate opposites that would otherwise never even be in the same galaxy with one another (and perhaps otherwise shouldn't be) manage to get along at all. I think it will be a long time if humans ever evolve beyond this neanderthal business if they ever do. The first step in doing so would be either not labeling men who are submissive in the home 'spineless runts', or labeling women who are submissive in the home (more comment) spineless runts also. I'd prefer the former to the latter but I don't think either will happen in any of our lifetimes, and I don't think Facebook is going to change that.
Humans are parasites after all - fully dependent upon the host upon which they feed (earth). Parasites rarely evolve any appreciable degree mid-infestation. They have to be practically wiped out first.
Meanwhile, men continue their juggernaut to regain/maintain control over women. One way they do that currently is by trying to eliminate birth control so that women have no control over their own bodies anymore and therefore have no control over their own lives, being once again physically disabled much of their lives by pregnancy - as well as socially and economically dependent on a man (father, husband, son). A war for retention/reclamation of control is what this is. And we're not beyond that either. In fact we seem to be moving backwards on this issue.
Where Facebook and other "social" (ie: "female") media comes in is in helping to promote and spread activism on such issues. We saw that with the Komen debacle. This is the power of social media and no doubt men dislike that about it. That may in fact be what is behind their denigration of it as "female". It gives women (and others too) heretofore non-existent abilities to organize and fight oppression and domination by those currently benefiting from the status quo.
As for evolution, if it ever happens at all, I get the impression that the female of the human species if it can, will drag the the more conventional of the male of the species into a more socially acceptable and equitable humanity kicking and screaming against their will. Facebook may help them along the way. And I think that may be what they really dislike about it. Couched in equations of Facebook = "social" media = female" and "social(ist) = "liberal", helps them counter what they see as a threat to current the current majority male domination and power men enjoy in much of today's society, government, corporations, and many of our homes (lest they be labeled "spineless runts" by their male peers - oh the shame!).
Who should dominate? How about everybody or nobody? You can't have a civilized society without anything "social", sorry. And if that == "female" then so be it. Otherwise, we live in a war zone - outside and inside our homes. That's the choice here. Unfortunately humans (especially men) seem to like war so we're probably stuck with it, Facebook or none.
Marid — October 22, 2012
ep up the good work and hope to read some more interesting content in the future. Thank you so much.
Barca — October 23, 2012
absolutely certain that every one is able to earn money from his website, Therefor we will display a short estimated numbers that might be achievab
John Locke — November 7, 2012
Excellent stuff from you, man. I’ve read your things before and you are just too awesome. You make it entertaining and you still manage to keep it smart ! I adore what you have got right here.
Natalia — November 7, 2012
Thanks for posting this informative article. I haven’t any word to appreciate this post.Really i am impressed from this post. The person who creates this post it was a great human. Thanks for shared this with us.
nvl — November 15, 2012
mesci
Thanh Lai — November 20, 2012
You make it entertaining and you still manage to keep it smart ! I adore what you have got right here.
John Locke — November 20, 2012
Bang bang bang ! I'm here !
John Locke — November 20, 2012
Excellent stuff from you, man. I adore what you have got right here.
TaLa — November 20, 2012
So nice to get somebody with some authentic ideas on this subject
John Locke — November 20, 2012
Of particular concern for conservatives in the onslaught of social technology is its effect on masculinity
John Locke — November 20, 2012
They find that there are more women than men on Facebook On Talbe
John Locke — November 20, 2012
They find that there are more women than men on Facebook put in to ipad
John Locke — November 20, 2012
Facebook/social media critique in the direction of “gender performance” in a way
234234 — December 16, 2012
234234234234234
terry — December 19, 2012
good
Valentine — April 11, 2013
Best select of sorts of brand women's costume, men's costume,costume information and so on Fine Costume
Kristina — August 24, 2014
Can you tell սs more about this? I'd like to find
οutt some adfditional information.
Miranda — August 25, 2014
Look around Bright Hub and you'll find detailed reviews of numerous other anti-virus solutions
including Ad-Aware Pro, a-squared, AVG Free, Avast.
s important to note that the drug will only work, in conjunction with sexual stimulation.
It is about getting across the message you wish to convey.
where to get free credit score — August 28, 2014
Credit score reviews are usually crucial throughout building your capacity to handle money
owed. (Disclosures are boring) You are not even suspicious until the site
asks you for your credit card number. " This debt collector "do not call" letter offered FREE should come with a HUGE disclaimer for you to use at your own risk.
LiveChat.zone — September 13, 2014
thank you for all this helpful information. where can I get more info like this ?