Men Demand Their Equal Rights

For years, the sense of entitlement amongst Radical Feminists has grated on me. It's not because I'm against equal opportunities or freedom. Quite the opposite. I realize women, in general, have had a bum deal. Rather, it's the sense that because they are women that that automatically makes them victims. It's this that bothers me.

I have been unwilling to speak out against this general sense of "victimhood" because, you know, we are all victims in one sense or another. The difference between me and a Women's Studies major, apart from hormones and genitalia, is my willingness to cut my losses and move on. And really, if there are real issues of sexism that must be addressed, and I'm being ignorant about it, I'm willing to admit my sense of frustration is missplaced. However, I can't help but feel that same grating feeling upon encountering Masculinism as I do Feminism.

Most of it has to do with the Masculinist's absolute insistence that they and all men are being oppressed. That they are entitled to certain "rights" or "privileges" by virtue of them being men. That the system is stacked against them and society has to change in order for their lives to be better. That pisses me off. Take a look at some "Demands of Men" Masculinists are insisting upon.

37. End the criminalization of normal men's sexual behavior. Repeal all laws making men's sexuality, exposure, penetration, etc., into a criminal act unless there is demonstrable physical harm to a victim. Release and pardon all men who have been arrested for "statutory rape," "date rape," "spousal rape," "pornography," "soliciting a prostitute," and other weasel worded versions thereof. A woman's hurt feelings do not turn a man into a criminal.

38. Repeal laws prohibiting men from obtaining commercial sexual services from women who choose of their own free will to work in the sex industry. Such prohibitive laws serve to sexually control men by limiting men's access to sex and preventing open competition with wives' monopoly. Promulgate OSHA guidelines for the health and safety of sex workers.

Demands of Men

First of all, whatever is men's "normal" sexual behaviour is up for debate. I am speaking as a very libidinous man myself. With that said, there is normal sexual behaviour and there is acceptable sexual behaviour. While you may feel comfortable running around naked in the comfort of your own home, that does not give you the right to do that in public. Secondarily, respect has to be the basis of all sexual relations. If a woman wants to be treated a certain way during sex, it is best you either respect her wishes or not have sex with her at all. It's that simple. Don't feel she's your only option. There is always your hand.

Onto the second point. I'm not going to argue about whether prostitution should be legal or not, but I will argue this: if a woman does not have a sexual monopoly over her husband, the two of them should not be married. One of the roles of a marriage is to create a binding legal institution out of a sexual agreement. If there's no exclusivity, all you really got is a financial partnership, and that can be satisfied in other ways. So no, do not go complaining to me about a wife's sexual monopoly over her husband.

Seriously, all these "rights" groups need to take a chill pill. Stop becoming so concerned about your lack of privileges. By virtue of living in this world, we all have to take into account that some opportunities are available to us, and others are not. Much of this is circumstance, much of this is our own doing. In any case, life is not meant to be about mourning over what you don't have. Life is meant to be "seized".

Seized as in "Carpe diem".