[quote=@ASTA]
<Snipped quote by Sombrero>

Where do manly ideals come from?
[/quote]

John Wayne

Actually, there was historically an obvious reason for manly ideals. The traditional house hold was the norm for so long because it worked. That's where those people who misrepresent patriarchy as something men did to women are getting it wrong. When all labor is almost entirely manual, when the ownership of land so directly correlates with somebodies position in life that simplified but unequal inheritance codes are the difference between peace and feuding, when the lack of machinery makes the biological inequality of strength between men and women more noticeable and important, a division of the sexes is the best way to do things. Capitalism and industrialism made that division an impediment, and feminism naturally followed. But there are still echoes left over from those old values, in the same way the severely outdated Abrahamic religions still stay around. People don't change quickly - we're drawn to traditions that make us feel comfortable and right. And that is fine. There isn't anything wrong with masculinity as a concept. But occasionally, just like any social force, it can create problems. Male rape victims being seen as weak is an example. The same way femininity will occasionally convince a woman to stay with an abusive man.