A chara, Seamus Hempenstall's response (March 1st) to Aine MacCarthy's "New Lads" article misses the point of "New Laddism". It is true that for generations, men have been behaving in this way; new lad or old the practical effects of sexist behaviour are the same. The difference is that now the New Lad feels his conduct and attitudes are excused by the fact that he should and does, know better.
He claims to be part of an enlightened generation, pretending that his sexist behaviour is a parody of old sexist norms. "Get a sense of humour" is his stock reaction to any objections his behaviour may provoke. Aine McCarthy is quite right to draw attention to this ideological escape clause.
It is inadequate to dismiss the New Lad as a constructed market niche. Behind a facade of facetiousness he continues to operate in the same way that his father did before him, and it is important to be aware of this facade. - Is sinne le meas,
Trinity College, Dublin 2.