Masculinity in society is undergoing a systemic change today.
In the past, social norms tied masculinity to working enough to support men’s wives and children. As women gained more autonomy, the need for a narrowly-constructed role as a provider faded. Yet this new freedom erased a certainty some men had that they were needed.
No longer bound to the perception of prescribed purpose, certain conservative influencers and politicians describe men feeling adrift and nostalgic for the simplicity of an older era where their life paths were dictated from birth. In this new era, a staggering quarter of young men in the United States report feeling lonely, and over half report daily stress. For the first time, men need to discover for ourselves how we fit into society.
Georgetown University men can consider how moving beyond previously internalized gender roles could create a positive impact on their community. To avoid feeling lost, we must learn to embody the Georgetown value of cura personalis, identifying our unique talents and how we can use them in the service of others. Society must adopt a liberal approach and replace traditional ideas of manliness.
Modern conservatism speaks to male anxieties, championing a return to a “real” manhood that will supposedly save men from aimlessness. Online personalities like Charlie Kirk offer young men an avenue to find community through a return to projected superiority rather than service. The promise of male redemption pits conservatives against liberals, who reject old ideals in favor of new ways of living. Conservatives go as far as to discourage men from working in sectors considered more feminine that they traditionally weren’t as involved in, such as teaching and caretaking. This divide reflects broader ideological differences: Conservatism emphasizes tradition where liberalism favors experimentation.
On the issue of manhood, however, the conservative appeal carries a dangerous undertone. Since traditional ideas of manhood center around the belief that women are inferior, arguing in favor of a return to these values implicitly argues for inequality. I’ve seen this narrative play out many times on social media, most notably with posts advocating for a return to traditional stay-at-home wives and domineering husbands.
This perspective stems from one of conservatism’s core principles. Edmund Burke, the “father of modern conservatism,” believed societies should be organized around the wisdom accumulated throughout history. This belief holds that leaders should preserve, rather than discard, systems that worked in the past, whether in government institutions or moral values. In this view, traditional virtues, such as manhood, that once contributed to prosperity are worth defending.
Liberalism, in contrast, insists progress comes from diversity of ideas and lifestyles. Instead of fearing innovation, liberals actively embrace it. They argue a social structure isn’t beneficial only by virtue of its practice in the past and should be replaced if it no longer serves society.
The conservative stance is well-meaning. Men today do struggle with identity and loneliness; a call to return to values that once gave security and persisted throughout the advancement of civilization can look like a solution. But this view cannot be separated from its historical context. The notion of men as providers and protectors of women and children only existed because patriarchal systems denied women the right to provide for or protect themselves. Men were considered the greatest inventors and figures in history because they were the center of society, so they had greater responsibilities demanded of them.
Even if conservatives today do not consciously argue for female inferiority, a revival of old ideals is impossible without also reducing women’s role in society. For this reason, a conservative approach should not be applied to the issue of gender roles.
As long as gender roles retain ties to misogyny, true equality will remain out of reach. Systemic discrimination of women is deeply entrenched in our country’s history and practices, and implicit bias persists even as women gain more representation. Men must recognize that the world is evolving and accept responsibility for advancing structural change. This commitment requires resisting the temptations of the stability promised by tradition and working toward forming a new identity as women’s equals.
At Georgetown and beyond, men should try to live up to the ideals of cura personalis and serve others. Clubs such as the Georgetown Gender Violence Alliance, Sexual Assault Peer Educators (SAPE), Project Rishi, H*yas for Choice and others that are based on servicing communities noticeably lack male members. By joining these clubs and creating a lifestyle independent of outdated beliefs, we can find joy in service to others and take advantage of our diversity of talents that a world without gender roles allows us to explore.
Rohan Jois is a sophomore in the School of Foreign Service.
