The New York Times is lowkey anti-gender

In an October 2024 essay, Ruth Whippman took aim at “positive masculinity.” Traits we tend to associate with traditional masculinity are fine, according to Whippman. Who doesn’t want to be strong, brave, heroic, physically tough, etc., at least on occasion?

The problem with positive masculinity is that it can’t solve the underlying problem that Whippman kept seeing in her interviews with boys for her book. Men and boys are under constant, severe pressure to consistently, flawlessly perform their gender. To solve that problem, we’re going to need to abolish masculinity.

Fox News, perhaps not shockingly, did not enjoy Ruth’s op-ed. It’s the kind of thing right-wing and Republican bloviators love to point to when claiming the left-wing and Democratic Party are waging a war on boys, men, and masculinity. 

I, on the other hand, enjoyed the essay. There’s only one, small thing I’d change.