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The Cycle of Revolutions: Finding Balance After the Extremes

Updated: Jul 17, 2024



History has shown us that revolutions, by their very nature, tend to swing to extremes before settling into a more balanced state. This pattern is evident in many significant upheavals throughout history. Consider the French Revolution, which began with noble goals of liberty and equality but quickly descended into a Reign of Terror. The revolutionaries, in their bid to maximize power, resorted to mass executions and draconian measures. Robespierre, a key figure in the revolution, met a violent end, marking a transition to a more moderate phase that eventually paved the way for Napoleon Bonaparte's rise.


Similarly, the Bolshevik Revolution, led by Lenin, sought to dismantle the existing social and political structures, resulting in a brutal civil war and the establishment of a totalitarian state under Stalin. Over time, the Soviet Union experienced phases of de-Stalinization and attempts at reform, such as under Khrushchev and Gorbachev, leading ultimately to its dissolution and a move towards a more mixed economy.


These examples illustrate a common pattern where revolutions start with radical changes that often lead to instability and excesses. Over time, however, counter-movements or reforms tend to bring societies back towards a more balanced outcome.


The Feminist Revolution: A Modern-Day Success?

Arguably one of the most successful revolutions in modern times is the feminist revolution. To understand its success, one only needs to compare the position of women in the 1950s to their status today in the United States. The image of the happy housewife living behind a white picket fence did a great job of concealing the limited opportunities available to women. Although there is still work to be done, the position of women in the modern world has greatly improved.


Women now outnumber men in university graduations and often choose to delay starting a family in favor of their careers.


However, in entering the job market, women have often been forced to adopt traditionally male and masculine traits. Alongside this progress, we are now hearing more about toxic femininity, much like the earlier discussions of toxic masculinity. It raises the question: has the feminist revolution gone too far? Have some feminists moved beyond the quest for equality to a quest for power, subtly creating a "reign of terror" where men are being feminized and castrated?


The Backlash Against Masculinity

In the past five years, can you think of a single Disney cartoon featuring a strong male character? Many portray men as bumbling idiots while strong female characters take the lead. While it is great to see strong women represented, it often comes at the expense of men. Hollywood frequently depicts men as one-dimensional fools who stumble along and try to stay out of the way of leading women.


This backlash against the male hierarchy is understandable, but extremes are not optimal. Castrated and feminized men are not good for society, women, or men. So, what is the solution? Should men roll over and play the victim card? Absolutely not. Men need to be aware of this attack on their masculinity and fight back by being better, stronger, and more masculine.


Embracing Masculinity in a Modern World

Men need to seek out hard things, make themselves useful so that people depend on them, protect and care for those close to them, and be confident and courageous in a world that encourages conformity. This uphill struggle is essential for preserving masculinity. Pesticides in our food and hormones in our water also work to feminize men. This is not a conspiracy theory but a reality of modern life in a highly populated world where food security for billions cannot be achieved if all farming were organic.


Conclusion: Finding Balance

Like all revolutions, the feminist movement has brought about significant positive changes. However, it is crucial to find a balance that does not diminish the role of men. Men need to rise to the challenge, embracing their masculinity and contributing positively to society. Only by recognizing and addressing these challenges can we move towards a more balanced and equitable future.


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