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From: edhall@randvax.UUCP (Ed Hall)
Newsgroups: net.women,net.singles
Subject: Re: recent (beastly) articles
Message-ID: <2215@randvax.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 27-Dec-84 14:51:18 EST
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Posted: Thu Dec 27 14:51:18 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 29-Dec-84 23:18:22 EST
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I suspect there is a problem here (a friend calls it ``the `wimpification'
of the American male''), but I don't think it is just a male problem.  I
think it is the result of the increasingly self-concious nature of the
American psyche: our intense obsession with ``self-image'', and with such
self-centered emotions as guilt, greed, and vengence.  The reason men and
not women are perceived as developing this affliction is that the
traditional female role covers it well by allowing it to be couched in
passive terms.  But I think that a ``crisis of the will'' exists in both
sexes.

It isn't so much that people need to ``get in touch'' with a particular
part of themselves--such inward direction is already over-indulged in.
Perceptions and actions are already far too colored by self-expectations
and rationalizations.  We insist on being ``in control'' (a good part of
the evil side of the male role manifests itself here) so that our selves
can be pushed and manipulated into what we think they should be.  And if
we now start thinking there is a ``hairy beast'' inside, we're sure to
find it--or create it.  We've objectified ourselves: we've become objects.
And objects are meant to be manipulated.

What is the result of all this, of this self-divided-against-itself?
Paralysis of the will.  If I spend all my effort trying to will myself
into that person I ``know'' I am, how much is left to will action
outside of myself?  Especially if that action is so strongly inter-
twined with my self-image.  And since my reign on my actions and
perceptions is only so strong, what happens when they get away from
me?  Self-restraint has all been concentrated in one place.

		-Ed Hall
		decvax!randvax!edhall