I READ in This paper the other day that a "serious debate" on masculinity is now beginning to take place within the social sciences and politics - "as well as within gender studies".
There doesn't seem to be much opportunity for the ordinary man to contribute.
It is a bit depressing to learn that decisions with serious long-term implications for masculinity will take place behind closed doors in the above-mentioned establishment corridors. There are no submissions invited either, no locations or contact numbers given, no opportunities to set up a lobby group, no public sessions, no open forum, no out-reach programme, no delegate sessions, no outside rapporteurs, no round-table discussions, no global links, no all-party modules, no video conferencing, no input at all allowed or encouraged other than from the self-chosen minority in their plush offices and well-insulated ivory towers.
The place for the man in the street is right there (in the street).
It's no wonder then that bloke culture is thriving. The private masculinity debate crowd have only themselves to blame, they will be sorry in years to come when the tables are turned.
So how is the Bloke Culture Club coming on?
Thank you for asking. It is well established now, with fair-sized premises (licensed, thank God) up on Parnell Square only a stone's throw from the Teachers' Club.
Tell us: do blokes in the bloke culture movement see any irony in their club being called the BC Club?
No. Blokes are not aware of irony, though they are attuned to sarcasm, and the blunter the better.
Do blokes have inner feelings?
Of course.
Do they ever reveal them?
Blokes are as old-fashioned in their logic as in everything else. If inner feelings are revealed they then become outer feelings, and there are enough of those about.
So blokes don't reveal them?
Not in the shamefully naked way approved by New Men. Blokes operate through an elaborate code. Their inner feelings are made known only when absolutely essential, and then only very discreetly, to those who truly care. These feelings are then carefully put away again, usually for a very long time.
Blokes would prefer not to reveal them at all?
What they would prefer is that those who absolutely must know their inner feelings should know them without having to ask.
That could be very difficult.
Blokes are unimpressed by the notion, promulgated by the various non-bloke cultures, that everything is made easier by means of talk. Despite appearances, blokes never pretend anything is easy.
That demands a lot from women, if women are part of the picture at all.
It does, doesn't it? And they are. I take it then that blokes are averse to bonding.
Again, only to the exhibitionist aspects involved and to the various fools, charlatans, bores, egoists, illiterates, sexual deviants and hopeless luadramans who make a career out of its promotion.
Blokes are in violent opposition to these people?
Violent opposition has no part in bloke culture. We - I mean they - lust don't like them.
Who or what else don't blokes approve of?
People who speak of trauma instead of shock. Experts offering expensive taped "answers" to people with personal problems. Californian mind culture within the alien Irish setting. New Men and Iron Man. All those who have abused the basically sensible notion of counselling and made it into a lucrative, deeply suspect industry.
Anyone else while you`re at it?
The Political Correctness practitioners and all their odious breed.
That's it?
Hold on: the women's studies and/or gender studies crowd.
Do blokes dislike them more or less than the PC brigade?
Since they are closely aligned and equally humourless, blokes hold them in equal disdain.
Do blokes like women?
They are absolutely besotted with them.
And drink?
In moderation.
How much moderation?
Oh, not too much.
Do blokes approve of sexual harassment?
Certainly not. It is quite alien to their nature. But they also abhor its use as a blunt instrument with which to bludgeon blokedom as a movement.
Do blokes have a special handshake or other form of mutual recognition?
It isn't that sort of club.