For God and Country
Academic Exchange Quarterly
The following article was published in the Academic Exchange Quarterly during my tenure with the journal as copy editor. Publication information is listed at the end of the essay.
It is refreshing to realize that in this modern world of political correctness, there is still one group that we can attack with impunity. Every day is open season on men.
The best part about it is, it doesn't bother them. Men learn as little boys not to feel things--not skinned knees or broken bones, not bad grades or girls who don't like them. Not even the death of fathers. No, boys will be right out there, standing tall, saluting as their father's casket passes. No tears in those eyes. He's mamma's little man, a good little trooper.
And speaking of war, it has been awhile since the brave young lads of America have marched off for God and country, a song in their hearts, blowing a kiss to their sweethearts, enduring a hug from mom, a firm handshake from dad. War is glorious. Nothing better to make a boy a man, put steel in his back--or somewhere at any rate.
But before you protest, let me remind you, that violence is a man's nature. War is no more than a baseball game or a football game, just a little rougher. Nothing like sports to bring out the man. Look at Fred Flintstone, busting up rocks all day, and then nothing like heaving a few down the bowling alley for a little relaxation.
Of course, Fred is just a cartoon character, but the real cavemen, now there were men. Hunters and killers every one, while their wives stayed home to plant gardens, raise babies, fix the meals, clean the toilets . . .
That is about the same time--when men developed the gene for violence--that they developed the "tool" gene that lets them innately understand the workings of all mechanical and electrical contrivances. You know, like the gene women developed at the same time that lets them know exactly how to take care of babies. According to the Genome Project, the tool gene is casually nestled between the gene for violence and the gene that never lets men ask for help--the gene Self-Reliance.
I remember when Beauty and the Beast aired on television. The women loved old what's-his-name. He had all the strength of a lion when there was danger, but under a woman's hand purred like a kitten. Not at all like "human" men for whom love is another word for sex, who view women as a tasty snack to gobble up and then forget as they prowl for their next victim. The love/sex gene is neatly attached to the violence gene and the laughter gene because, for men, all the feminine emotions are hardwired to the laughter gene and the violence gene, which is why little boys giggle so much and get in so many fights.
In fact, the only danger with male bashing is you never can be sure if the man is going to laugh.
Bill Stifler
Copy Editor
Chattanooga State Community College
Academic Exchange Quarterly 4.4 (2000): 14.