University of Texas to Treat Masculinity as a 'Mental Health' Issue

a reply to: Grambler

OR and just hear me out here, the fact that it is optional makes it a way for people who have issues with traditional masculinity roles because they don't align with them to cope and not feel inadequate with themselves?

I fail to see how people who are taking up optional counseling would be seeking out confirmation of traditional masculinity being a problem. People who seek out optional counseling are trying to cope with feelings of inadequacy compared to traditional roles. They are seeking affirmation that they aren't lesser just because they don't align with those roles. Why is that so hard to see?

But no, let's all pretend like traditional masculinity is under attack because people who aren't traditionally masculine are depressed with themselves and a University is offering them an outlet to help them get over those issues.

originally posted by: bigfatfurrytexan

originally posted by: Krazysh0t
a reply to: Swills

Threads like this are hilarious how you can see the usual suspects rush right in to agree with the OP without doing any further due diligence in vetting the source.

I'd suspect that many here had already read about this.

I know I had anyway.

So that tells me that you understand that the University isn't labeling masculinity as a mental health issue, but you are choosing to believe it anyways. Fun!

originally posted by: Krazysh0t

originally posted by: bigfatfurrytexan

originally posted by: Krazysh0t
a reply to: Swills

Threads like this are hilarious how you can see the usual suspects rush right in to agree with the OP without doing any further due diligence in vetting the source.

I'd suspect that many here had already read about this.

I know I had anyway.

So that tells me that you understand that the University isn't labeling masculinity as a mental health issue, but you are choosing to believe it anyways. Fun!

If you'd quote me stating such, i'd be happy to defend myself.

a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan

Are you arguing with me for the fun of it then? Why did you take issue with my words? Call what I'm doing an educated guess as I can't figure out why you'd voice disagreement with me when I'm pointing out a fundamental issue with the original claim in the OP. It's the damn title of the thread after all.

originally posted by: Krazysh0t
a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan

Are you arguing with me for the fun of it then? Why did you take issue with my words? Call what I'm doing an educated guess as I can't figure out why you'd voice disagreement with me when I'm pointing out a fundamental issue with the original claim in the OP. It's the damn title of the thread after all.

Are you arguing? Im not. I was just pointing out that several folks may have already read about this elsewhere, and the OP only gave them a venue to discuss.

Seriously...i was just trying to give you an alternate potential for your viewpoint. I didn't see your fists were already clinched and you were looking to fight. Carry on....

a reply to: Krazysh0t

You and I used to be able to actually talk.....

a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan

Ok. Sorry for lashing out at you. I'm just tired of seeing all these threads posted on ATS that are easily debunked and half the reader base jumps in to star and flag without a single one questioning the claims in the thread or following up with other sources just because the source aligns with their preconceived notions. Then I point this out and people argue with me. I'm not even the first one to do it. I was remarking to someone else doing it; then people argue with that anyways.

If the notion that people had already seen this elsewhere and wanted to discuss it was the reasoning, then the thread could have been titled differently, or the OP could have used a source that wasn't out an out lying about what was happening.

a reply to: Krazysh0t

No masculinity is under attack is not the correct way of putting it

Any group seems to be an oppressor is under attack

And not just from this optional counseling service

Look at how many classes and majors fight against “patriarchy “ or “whiteness” and so forth

This op is just a very small example of the divisiveness and hate brought in by the cultural Marxism that infests the university

Someone like ban Shapiro isn’t allowed to give an “optional “ speech on campus without thousands of dollars of security being there and many other loopholes, let alone having a counseling service sponsored by the school putting forth his beliefs

But I am sure you are right

No doubt this university which I am guessing receives public funds will no doubt be offering counseling services on why traditional feminist are horrible and we need to change the definition and help people be less feminine

Or how about traditional black identity is terrible and needs to have more white values

Oh that’s right, only progressives be causes are allowed to be offered

a reply to: Grambler

What are you talking about? How is a counseling service redefining words? You are just making # up now.

a reply to: Krazysh0t

Oh and I notice you didn’t address the point about how this could be easily interpreted as labeling traditional masculinity a mental health problem

What else did you call it when mental health workers say that we need to change traditional masculinity?

originally posted by: Krazysh0t
a reply to: Grambler

What are you talking about? How is a counseling service redefining words? You are just making # up now.

I am sorry, perhaps you didn’t read what the service seeks to do.

It seeks to challenge the traditional idea of what is masculine, and offer a better definition that is more diverse and inclusive

originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: peter vlar

Do you think masculinity is a mental health issue?

In and of itself? No. Not at all. I do however believe that the ways that some men attempt to demonstrate their masculinity is, in some cases, the result of mental health issues. Some instances for example, are blatant manifestations of overcompensation due to lack of self confidence and self esteem. Maybe it was just not enough hugs from mommy as a child.

Likewise, some of the men who are referred to in blatantly derogatory terms such as effeminate or beta boys are dealing with some mental health issues of their own. Some of them are likely predisposed to depression disorders and others are trying to come to terms with the constant stream of abuse, both mental and physical, levied at them by so called “alpha” males who feel that they are just living up to their designated social roles that include typical frat boy behaviors as well as stereotypical bullying.

From your handle, I am going to assume you are male.

You would be correct

Do you feel mentally ill just by virtue of your masculinity?

I don’t know that by virtue of masculinity alone anyone is mentally ill. I would happily agree that SOME testosterone dripping alpha males are suffering from one or more sicknesses if the mind and put up the facade of Uber-masculinity as a shield, a defense mechanism and a smidge of self deception to cover ip what they perceive as their own inadequacies because the social niche they have to survive within has convinced them through a combination of peer pressure and parental influence that men are supposed to adhere to rigid social constructs and effeminate or sissy men have no value in the family structure or the community at large.

The part that gets really tricky is that in this day and age, nearly everything can be construed as or labeled a mental illness and that doesn’t make the discussion or dialogue any easier to find a common, middle ground.

I’ve worked with, played sports with and served my country with men who I would be comfortable stating quite matter of factly, that they were dealing with some issues that had never been dealt with or diagnosed because of the stigma associated with needing help period let alone mental health assistance, because a “manly man” doesn’t need that sort of help because there’s absolutely nothing wrong with them and anyone who disagrees needs to grow thicker skin and stop being such a baby and “take a joke like a manfor once.

If this program helps anyone, whether they are a big bad tough guy or the whiny effeminate guy down the hall in the dorm, then I don’t see the harm. Especially since there is no mandate nor is it a class or anything that you derive school crests from as if it’s an intramural sport or running stage lights for the drama club. There are a lot of people losing their collective s# over this and in hilarious irony, acting every bit as snowflake like as those soft squishy liberals they loathe so much.

This is where we are at as a nation right now... incredibly polarized, extreme partisanship. And this goes every bit for the hard left as much as the hard right. On the left, anything that could possibly, regardless of how remote the possibility or how little logic is involved in the thought process, anything that could have the most remote link to Trump is the holy grail of ineptitude and repulsion. And vice versatility... anything remotely linked to the Democrats and especially so in regards to President Obama, is the harbinger of death and the end of civilization as we know it. Reason, logic and rationale are out the window, the lines in the sand are carved deeply and the middle ground has all but dusappeared. It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that people are having mental health issues and diving neck deep into a bottle of pills or flirting with needles when the entire country seems to be in the headlock of an “Us versus Them” mentality and an enemy lies around every corner.

a reply to: Grambler

Sorry. I tend not to reach for the most hyperbolic response to any given situation. Especially one that is localized and not even the majority opinion of most of the workers.

a reply to: Krazysh0t

Stuff is brought here from echo chambers...i wouldn't expect it to change soon.

I'd rather see more stuff posted from a differeing viewpoint, though. Real criticism of the POTUS, instead of this Mueller nonsense.

a reply to: Krazysh0t

Traditional masculinity is under attack by this program. This program exists to counsel people with gender identity issues, who can't fit into traditional models of masculinity and femininity. They believe that the idea of masculinity being opposite to femininty is a myth and that people who believe in the traditional roles of masculinity and femininity, are more prone to:

engage in behavior that pushes away and devalues anything feminine

They also state on their web page that:

"really masculine" students can potentially fall in the trap of not developing empathy, care, consideration, a responsible lifestyle, a supportive attitude, different complex emotions, and the ability to keep their impulses under control

They imply that traditional "masculine" men judge other men, in order to see if they measure up to the values of "real men." If men do this, then it:

perpetuates sexism, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.

They imply that "masculine" men compete with other men, to see if they're a "real man." So, "masculine" men are more prone to:

racist, classist, ableist, and other violent behavior to devalue other students in the competition to prove who is a "real man."

cmhc.utexas.edu...

This program assumes that "masculine" men are not capable of controlling their impulses, or being respectful, non-violent, tolerant men living a responsible lifestyle. This program wants to legitimize gender and sexual fluidity by deamonizing behavior that they feel exists in traditional "masculine" men.

a reply to: shawmanfromny

To be fair:

I am a pretty masculine man. Many would consider me an alpha.

Despite this, i approach the world with empathy. Many do not, especially early 20 somethings.

I can see the value in adding diversity of viewpoint.

a reply to: shawmanfromny

No. What is "under attack" is the myth that the alpha/beta idea is a real idea. Don't confuse that with masculinity/femininity. I don't need to be an "alpha" male and still demonstrate traditional masculine roles. Actually, that isn't even true. Nothing is really "under attack". Under attack implies violence. YOU aren't diminished in any way just because you adhere to certain standards of masculinity just like some other guy isn't. What is happening here, is you are getting knee jerk defensive because things are changing and you want them to stay the same.

originally posted by: bigfatfurrytexan
a reply to: shawmanfromny

To be fair:

I am a pretty masculine man. Many would consider me an alpha.

Despite this, i approach the world with empathy. Many do not, especially early 20 somethings.

I can see the value in adding diversity of viewpoint.

But who gets to control the definition of what is masculine.

Sure we can say things like working with your hands (like construction) or competition is masculine.

This makes sense in an evolutionary sense of defined roles; the masculine partnet had certain obligation and the feminine partner had others. (again, this doesnt mean a person can not move between this characteristics etc.)

But who said diversity of thought is someone not masculine?

I could easily make the case that competition is usually considered masculine,

In competition, a diversity of ideas and strategies is welcomed, because they make it more likely to succeed.

Conversely, we can see the traditional feminine roles valued upbringing of children. This encoruages an intense need to protect family or tribe, but an intense ditsrust of anyone outside (hence why we see so many "feminist" act so violently to silence people they disagree with)

The point is anyone can skew thiese definitions to basically say whatever they want.

So in a nut shell, some of the most "manly men" people I have ever meant werre also some of the most empathetic and inclusive people I have every met, and I never heard anyone question their masculinity for it.

This counseling programs seeks to use word play to imply the traditional idea of wwhat a man is is fearful of diversity.

Its a smear tactic and a poorly formed one at that.

originally posted by: bigfatfurrytexan
a reply to: Krazysh0t

Stuff is brought here from echo chambers...i wouldn't expect it to change soon.

Who said anything about change? People can post dumb stuff from echo chambers all they want. There are no rules against it. I was more expecting better from our membership in outing this stuff as nonsense. You know, deny ignorance and all?

I'd rather see more stuff posted from a differeing viewpoint, though. Real criticism of the POTUS, instead of this Mueller nonsense.

I fail to see why you had to bring up Trump in this thread...

Like so many terms and definitions these days, people are changing definitions to fit their individual agendas.

Just look at;

Socialism
Communism
Liberty
Freedom
Patriotism
Masculine
Feminine
Gender

etc. . . . . .