“Men on Strike: Why Men Are Boycotting Marriage, Fatherhood, and the American Dream—and Why It Matters” by Helen Smith explores the phenomenon of men opting out of traditional societal roles in an increasingly hostile environment towards masculinity and fatherhood.
Helen Smith, a psychologist with a background in forensic issues, delves into what she describes as a significant cultural shift where men are retreating from conventional paths of marriage, fatherhood, and the traditional American Dream. Her book argues that societal changes, particularly those driven by radical feminism and legal systems, have created an environment where men feel unfairly targeted or disadvantaged.
Australia, always quick to adopt America’s left wing fads, has been profoundly influenced by this demented miscarriage of all common decency.
Key Points of Men on Strike
Cultural Hostility Towards Men: Smith contends that contemporary culture, media, and legal systems often portray men negatively, either as buffoons, villains, or unnecessary figures in modern society. This portrayal contributes to a broader cultural narrative where masculinity is under attack.
The Decline in Marriage: Men are increasingly avoiding marriage due to perceived risks, including unfair divorce laws where they might lose significant assets or be burdened with child support, even in cases where the child isn’t theirs. Smith highlights cases where men are legally and financially bound to children they didn’t agree to have.
Fatherhood and Custody Issues: The book discusses how men often face an uphill battle in gaining custody of their children post-divorce, with the legal system presumed to favor mothers. This discourages men from engaging in relationships where they could potentially face such legal battles.
Education and Career: Smith touches on the disengagement of men from higher education, influenced by what some perceive as an educational system biased against boys and young men, leading to fewer men pursuing college degrees. This shift also reflects in career choices, where men are opting out of traditional career paths that might not provide the same rewards or respect as before.
Men’s Rights Movement: The book serves partly as a call to action for recognizing men’s rights. Smith encourages men to stand up against what she sees as discriminatory practices, suggesting involvement in men’s rights groups, understanding legal rights, and challenging societal norms that disadvantage them.
Society’s Reaction: Smith argues that this withdrawal of men from societal roles isn’t just affecting men but society at large. She posits that the lack of male engagement in community life, education, and family structures could lead to broader social decay, impacting everything from crime rates to economic productivity.
Critique of Feminism: While not against feminism in principle, Smith critiques what she sees as an overreach of certain feminist ideologies that marginalize male experiences and needs. She believes in a balance where men’s issues are also given attention and not dismissed under the guise of male privilege.
Empirical Evidence: While Smith uses a mix of empirical data, personal anecdotes, and broader social commentary, critics have pointed out that some of her evidence can be anecdotal or drawn from small sample sizes. However, her work has sparked debate by highlighting areas where men might indeed feel unfairly treated.
Reception and Impact
“Men on Strike” has been both praised for bringing attention to men’s issues and criticized for its generalizations and methodology. It’s been a focal point for discussions within the men’s rights movement, inspiring further research and activism around men’s mental health, legal rights, and societal roles. Critics argue it might oversimplify complex social dynamics or misattribute causes.
Smith discusses how men feel increasingly undervalued and unfairly targeted by societal norms and legal systems. She points out that men are consciously or unconsciously opting out of traditional roles like marriage and fatherhood due to perceived risks and lack of appreciation. For instance, men are churned through destructive and extremely abusive family courts, stripped of their children, their assets and their income, leading to a sense of hopelessness or disengagement.
Conclusion
Helen Smith’s “Men on Strike” challenges readers to reconsider how societal structures are failing men, urging for a cultural shift towards more equitable treatment across genders.
“Men are sensing the backlash and are consciously and unconsciously going ‘on strike.’ They are dropping out of college, out of the workforce, and out of marriage at alarming rates.”
hELEN SMITH
This is by no means purely an American phenomenon. A daily blizzard of anti-male propaganda spews forth from the Australian government and is regurgitated in the nation’s captured and compliant legacy media. Men’s views are almost never put. A result of the “long march” through the nation’s institutions, it’s long past time to reassess the insanity which has gripped our society.
CLASSICS OF THE FATHERHOOD MOVEMENT
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OUT SOON
MARKING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AUSTRALIAN FAMILY LAW ACT
