Do you think men today are WAY LESS masculine compared to men in the past?

Question

Minxxie · Accepted Answer

Men have only been dressing boring and plain since the early 1800s when Beau Brummell popularized precise and "simple" dressing for men in bland colors. Starting a movement called "dandyism" during the Regency period. (the period when "Pride and Prejudice" was written.)

Before this men wore a lot of lace, vivid colors, high heels (yes they were originally meant for men!) ruffles, bows, ribbons, metal hardware, fur trim, intricate patterns etc. This was done especially to showcase wealth and status.

Italian nobleman in the Renaissance period

French Rococo era men's suit, yes! It's PINK (GASP)

King Charles II was very particular about his courtiers being fashionable

Beau Brummell the father of modern men's fashion

You could also argue that modern men's fashion with colours ranging from brown, to black, to navy and having little to no details is less masculine than ever before!

For most of history, men were proud peacocks and now they look like dull little peahens!

Personally, I respect a man who is brave enough to take risks with his fashion, especially seeing the way most men tend to gossip about and judge men like Harry Styles! Bland male fashion, in terms of human history, is a very new thing that happened only about 220 years ago! That's barely three human lifespans ago! (if each generation lived to 73)

Harry takes a lot of inspiration from historical fashion including rock and pop legends of the past this articleshows a lot of the direct inspirations. He's also a celebrity and an artist so he's bound to dress a lot more extravagantly than the average man, he's being sponsored by huge fashion houses all the time!

I do think, however, that the average man has no idea how much power he could hold if he just put some thought into his outfits, most men still dress like mom just bought their back-to-school clothes for them so a man who wears a bit of color and matches things in a pleasing way is automatically going to catch women's attention a lot more easily.

Also, the lace shirt you posted seems to be inspired by Edwardian/ or Victorian gothic fashion, if you were wondering lol.

AmandaYVR · Accepted Answer

Yes. Maybe for 3 main reasons? Testosterone rates are plummeting (it's actually just 1% per year, but that's significant, and it means men are becoming infertile.) It's due to hormone-like chemicals in food, hygiene products, and the environment. It's disrupting hormones in females and all children, too. Very bad. More acceptance of different sexualities and gender labelling. Females have been asking for males to be more communicative, more involved at home with the kids, and to stop all the sexual harassment crap at work, so they've slowly adapted to be softer.

Datboi65 · Accepted Answer

Yes I do. I asked a question on the topic that you can check out, and you gotta see some of the responses I got:

Why are gen z men so effeminate?

The whole "pretty boy" schtick is why this generation of guys are weak. They try to copy dudes like Justin Bieber and Harry Styles, instead of being more masculine in both appearance and mannerisms. Even then, if you have celebrities for role models, you've already lost.

Every man's guide should be his father. If your father is not a good example of what a man is, then celebrities sure as hell ain't. You have to find your way through other means, and the only way you will get there is through adversity, and not through crying and feeling sorry for yourself.

Lionman95 · Accepted Answer

I would say yes and no. Yes because many guys are getting lazy, are not working on themselves and prefer the comfort zones of life. Even in the demonized patriarchy guys were expected to be strong and work hard for the family´s good they didn´t get the beautiful lady for free, they had to show her father that they have something to offer that´s of worth for starting a family and has a future. Nowadays it instead seems like comfort and fun are more cherished by guys than hard work and success.

But at the same I would say no it just seems like that since media does its best to present the provoking kind of guys and not the masculine "normal" guys that works and lives in the shadow of the spot light.

WonderBell99 · Answer

What is your definition of masculinity though? If you are going to start classifying people as “masculine” or “feminine” based on their style of clothing, it would be an utter fail. Going to war or doing manual labor should not be the basis for calling someone “masculine”.

I see some people saying “oh well, men those days went to war. i bet people like these stupid tiktokers would not be able to handle the war at all! we are evolving, but only backwards” guess what? men those days who were shipped off to war, suffered from a myriad of mental illnesses, PTSD being the most common. Men those days in the military used to cosplay as women for FUN. Wearing a black nail polish or a dress is not going to make someone feminine. I used to do skincare and makeup on my dad all the time. He was comfortable with it. I would say THAT is masculine because he is not an insecure little shit and is comfortable with himself, unlike other men who are constantly worried about their image or how others perceive them.

If opening up about their mental health or allowing themselves to be more vulnerable is less masculine, then I’m damn happy that they are.

PetiteBabe64 · Answer

Yes I do First men Use Drugs they drink They complain and it’s not even just men It’s people in general people are Lazy and Then when I say that some get all bent outta shape and Tell me what the fuck do you know lady. if Muscles could talk It would Tell people they are lazy and to actually show the muscles some love ❤️
Lazy is not about you being constantly moving it’s letting your muscles Atrophy muscles need resistance sure you can work a Job carrying concrete. but that’s not going to Make your muscles that much bigger they will grow because of resistance but Muscles need More resistance than same resistance all the time. There’s many things people can do. You could know a Japanese fighting style and practice on a Dummy. But if You don’t build muscle your muscles will then Become lazy muscles. People aren’t active in there muscles sure wow 🤩 they Can Walk around and talk a big game about Being Tough and having more energy than the person next to you. But if the person next to you Can do 40 pushups and you can hardly do even 10 then that’s a problem that needs to be Fixed. Or let’s say You ounce could bench 350 20 years ago well news flash that’s 20 years ago not today. Laziness is simply letting your muscles Atrophy not using them with right amount of resistance will do that. No same resistance for 20 years will Turn you into Strong tough man or tough female.

mermaidcancermoon · Answer

I vote no.

Controlling D*ck Waving Patriarchal society has deemed themselves as the ONLY "right" way to live for years. Now that people are being themselves out in the open, Straight Dominant Men have bruised egos and feel like theyre "dying out". Its what happens when you try to shove people in a box they dont belong in for years on end. Humans have always been diverse in culture and expression.

Straight Dominant men aren't going to dissapear, there's still plenty in existence and being born on a daily basis. Theyre just struggling to embrace a society that doesn't align with their conservative interests so they turned into insecure whinos that loathe on podcasts and youtube videos all day. Not everyone on earth has to fit your beliefs and preferences. Simply hang with those who like what you like and stay humble.

mickmrly · Answer

I don’t think that men are less masculine today, but I do think that more feminine men are being heavily promoted these days. The media and social media tend to promote certain things in the hope of pushing everyone to think those things are the most accepted. I don’t doubt that the breakdown of the family has made some men less masculine as they don’t have a proper male role model, but that isn’t too different from the old days either. There were less masculine men in the past, but they just weren’t as big a focus as they are now.

Anonymous · Answer

If our gauge of how men dress is how we are going to gauge masculinity, then clearly some have never opened a history or fashion book. Men used to wear heels, make-up, wigs, lace, stockings, skirts, dresses...the works throughout history. The gay man or the bisexual man have also existed forever. In what we consider one of the most masculine strong armies in the world, the Roman army, they were encouraged to have relations with other men and some did wear make-up during this time. You can even take a short trip to the 80s where men were frequently flirting with androgyny, wearing make-up, and "feminine" clothing. Hair metal bands were famous for it. None of this is new, but people like to think it's an invention or symptom of the modern era that has somehow corrupted part of the male society. (Rolls eyes).

RolandCuthbert · Answer

If this is such a major concern, why is it so hard for GaGers to talk about what they consider to be masculine traits?

What Are Masculine Traits?

All of these takes and questions about supposed feminine males are just fake. Because no one here is going to engage in discussion about what is or is not masculine.

Most males here want to be seen as being masculine simply because they have a dick. Masculinity doesn't work that way.

Fireguy17 · Answer

I'm going to say sort of.
From what I've seen now vs when I was younger the majority of guys can't do half of the stuff we did, but we were country kids, growing up on farms, so a lot of what we did was just stuff that you did as part of life.
Now they are too busy getting their man bun to be just right, their 3-day old "beard" to look perfect, trying not to spill their $12 coffee on their $400 sneakers.
But there are still some guys that are able to do welding, drive a stick shift, a tractor, heavy equipment, whatever it takes.

Curiosity2006 · Answer

You mean: and That comparison? Sure! XDDD

PhenomenalQueen · Answer

Yes and there was a documentary done that was based upon studies that were done from the past.. it mentioned that drinking from PLASTIC bottles during pregnancy has a lot to do with it… & there was a rise in homosexuality as well… it’s a very interesting documentary.

BeMuse · Answer

Just because the media focuses on fags, doesn't mean that's what men are doing. That is what the media wants men to be doing, so they are advertising it and attempting to brainwash men. The problem for them, is men tuned out and don't pay attention to the media anymore because they know it's all nonsense pedaled by the fake news.

Anonymous · Answer

No, it's just more acceptable for effeminate men like Styles to be open about it. There were just as many men like that in the past, and there are just as many masculine men today as there used to be. In fact, apparently there are so many masculine men today that feminists feel the need to combat it with contrived terms like "toxic masculinity". The infamous ad that actually cost Gillette $8 billion

DoctorSex · Answer

Depends where you go in the world. Varies from country to country. In the west, yes.

I recently asked a question of who is chiefly responsible for a child and no male said the man is. This is a reflection of the death of masculinity in the west.

Kind regards,

DoctorSex

Wolfynight · Answer

I feel like yes and no, but mostly yes. I feel like not a lot of the guys population is masculine as they used to be, I feel like everyone got softer as well, but it's just, i'll expect serious protectiveness and stuff from my guy, but instead he's indifferent and lazy

BlueScorpio · Answer

It's starting to seem that way. yes there's always been feminine or metrosexual men along side masculine but there is definitely a push in the media for men to be more feminine. They want men to be seen in more soft light, and they're showing men in dresses and heels more than ever these days.

CateM · Answer

We are slowly but surely eliminating toxic masculinity from society. I wouldn't say men are less masculine nowadays because when I see a guy who isn't afraid to be himself, like wearing makeup, I think he's very manly for not giving two shits about what others think of him

sheenagwapa · Answer

i am not a fan of such style but he is handsome. i think we are all conditioned to dress a certain way based on gender and that's just how it is so for some people to go against the rule (the "rule" which was followed for many many generations) it's gonna be hard to break it

i wanna wear and use some boy stuff does that make me less feminine? i don't care as long as i'm happy

Anonymous · Answer

Yup. Women said they wanted men to cry and talk about their feelings, and next thing you know, they're wearing dresses and make up and claiming gender is an illusion and getting outraged on twitter and Instagram.

Doesn't bother me. Plenty of real women still want a man.

ThrowawayRandom · Answer

Depends on which men you’re paying attention to. I think there’s always been “less masculine” men, nowadays it’s just more accepted so they’re able to actually be themselves without the judgment they would of gotten years ago. Which means more “less masculine” men coming to light

hahahmm · Answer

In general, too many guys in western society are becoming feminine. They are doing what a lot of women say they wanted: a soft man. But it's not really about how you dress. Dress is a symptom of the disease.

MementoMori_ · Answer

Most men yes, but not all. Most of them are caught up in this lunatic gender confusion stuff and think it's somehow bad to actually be a real man. FUCK THAT. If you want a girly man go find someone else.

PainusNdeeAnus · Answer

Honestly the men before us were very masculine I know that because of how easy we have it now we don’t really need to be masculine except for women maybe because it’s attractive to them but who cares what they want they’ll still have sex with us Women hate women we are all they got

MzAsh · Answer

As it’s defined by conventional standards, yeah but I think it’s great how men are more comfortable today in their own space without being narrowly defined by gender norms. There are many great men these days.

Sukaaa · Answer

there are really fitness men out there its just that the spread and normality of gay and freedom in cloth that help us see both masculine and less masculine

DevinAM · Answer

I believe most of the qualities we ascribe to masculinity & femininity are arbitrary & are not really characteristic of the relevant sex.

For example long hair is a gender neutral trait because both sexes are naturally capable of it, it is not distinctly feminine.

TroyDT2 · Answer

Probably. There are a lot of guys who sit at desks, and that isn't even counting the girlie-men. I mean, I work out a lot, but not ten to twelve hours per day of hard labor like the typical blue collar worker of yesteryear.

Bethany22 · Answer

Yes, but not in their dress. More so in the way they talk is more feminine. In early history they wore frilly stuff like that.

Sixgunsound · Answer

Does this question even need to be asked? I am terrified of what would happen if we have to institute a draft.

MysticDevice · Answer

Yeah. Men in the 40's lied about their ages to go kill nazis. Men today can't even change a tire and are afraid of guns. With exceptions of course. Plenty of men are still tough as nails.

Aiko_E_Lara · Answer

Unfortunately yeah just by comparison. Internet, fast food, social media, video games, micro plastic and other things lowering men's testosterone today and not to mention how they are treated now which is a big factor.

fonduegirl · Answer

Nope. In fact, they're more obsessed than ever! With being masculine. It's honestly concerning.

dustybiker · Answer

No. But the eye becomes distracted by what we are attracted to and dislike.

Staximus · Answer

They actually did research on this and today's men on average have something like 50% less testosterone than men did 50 years ago, due to lack of physical activity and diet

slatyb · Answer

Same as it ever was. People are more accepting of variation, so people are more open.

SolitarySolace · Answer

Yup, but why should I care? They’re gonna be sad lonely fucks for the rest of their lives. Get used to it

AdithyaR · Answer

Nope, just that the term masculine isn't as restrictive as it was in the past. And that's a good thing.

OddBeMe · Answer

Depends. Masculinity may have changed in definition. Certainly “seeing” more into other peoples lives with every new social media platform. So it’s hard to correlate…

SmokinAces2000 · Answer

No I think that more feminine men are just more comfortable doing this kind of stuff then they were 50 years ago, no matter what decade you drop me I would act the same

TheSpaceGnome · Answer

No, people just think things are different because of the internet/tv spotlight changing.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes, just do some study into pop culture. From the late 70s onwards, everything started to change.

Anonymous · Answer

Woke culture is part of the problem. Calling masculinity bad.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes but they're doing it intentionally.  Trying to change gender norms

Anonymous · Answer

Keep on chasing the mystical masculinity instead of fixing the core issues. i want to be masculine, i want to be independent, i want to have full freedom, me, me, me, me and me.

This_Is_My_Opinion8 · Answer

If by masculinity you mean less strength and less "me Tarzan you Jane" mindset than yes.

CarmenApple · Answer

It's difficult to say without having statistics about the % of gender nonconforming men from both time periods you're comparing. How far back are you talking?

hafinjun · Answer

Well I'd say that was fair to middlin true pilgrim yahah.

Jackblue · Answer

In the past men wore lots of jewels and makeup, they don't nearly as much today.

Dinosaursandanime65 · Answer

Especially in Genshin Impact. Unless they have short hair, you’ll probably assume he’s a girl

LimitedBenefits101 · Answer

Sadly yes, but sissy men are few compared to masculine men.

AngryCarl · Answer

They're not less masculine, they're just freer to express their feminine side.

Lizardman64 · Answer

Yes, even the so-called masculine men today. There are some regulars at my gym who wear what look like women's' shorts.

Mediterraneansoul · Answer

Not all men. The global society still consists of all shades of men.

Anonymous · Answer

Do it just seems that way because women are more masculine.

Anonymous · Answer

Don't know what the bloody hell that's supposed to mean.

Anonymous · Answer

Of course! Any time life gets easier it tends to pussy-ify people.

berwise13 · Answer

I think they only appear less masculine because it's more socially acceptable

Fuglyman92 · Answer

Look at Harry Styles. Does he look like a man to you?

Anonymous · Answer

Not really an answer to the question, but Harry is actually incredibly masculine… it’s easy to just grab magazine or red carpet photos where he’s all dressed up fashionably for an event.

Anonymous · Answer

long hair was so popular in 60's 70's and rock band in 80's all have long hair. I think they are transgenders.

Jemini_Crocket · Answer

Extremely so, that's why dating is hard.

Summeroflove · Answer

HOW MANY TIMES A DAY ARE YOU GOING TO ASK THIS?

Do you think men today are WAY LESS masculine compared to men in the past?

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