Am I Still Afraid Of Men?
Contemplating manhood in the era of the 'manosphere.' Plus, sounds of soft masculinity and underrated Korean takeout in Midtown.
Last week, I wrote about the challenge of building confidence as a woman. Yesterday was International Women’s Day. And yet, for some reason, I can’t stop thinking about men.
Not one man in particular, but what it means to be a man. As I believe things only become defined, or truly understood, in opposition, it doesn’t feel like a betrayal to be contemplating manhood during a week I should be celebrating women.
This coming Wednesday was the day my mom was born. She never knew the man who contributed to her conception, and I doubt I ever will, just as I’m not sure I’ll ever know my own birthfather. But I knew the adopted father who raised her well. When she had a brain injury at age 40, I was sent to live with him out in Calgary. I was eight and it was my first time living with a man. Suddenly, I became aware of the separation that society expects of gender. I could no longer pee with the door open, or run around naked (not that I was that kind of kid, but s…