Recession may be sparking anti-feminist backlash, study finds

[Liberal_in_LA]

Recession may be sparking anti-feminist backlash, study finds
By QMI Agency

The recession and loss of jobs in Canada's manufacturing sector may be sparking a backlash against women in the workplace, with men longing for the good old days when "men were men," a study found.

Part of the problem comes from the fact that the identity of many men is tied to their position in the workplace, University of Windsor assistant professor Christopher Greig said in a paper presented at a conference in Montreal.

He points to Windsor, Ont., which was hit hard by the crisis in the auto sector, where laid off employees' lives were so defined by their jobs they are now being forced to seek mental health services.

"We're seeing something of an anti-feminist backlash, where because of the loss of manufacturing jobs and the crisis of de-industrialization, there's been concern around men's identity," he said.

"Part of the backlash is being driven by men's uncertainty," he notes.

"There's a tendency, when things are uncertain, to want to get 'back to normal'."

Greig notes it's becoming increasingly common to hear terms such as the "chickification" of society and to hear longing for "old-style patriarchal values."

He said there's no quick-fix to solve the problem but warns a return to the old ways won't solve the "crisis of manhood."

The manufacturing sector was the worst hit during the latest recession, suffering the greatest number of job losses. Though industries are now recovering, a recent report by the Conference Board of Canada said it may take years to get back to pre-crisis norms, with some sectors unlikely to ever recover.

http://www.torontosun.com/life/2010/06/03/14245636.html

[elehhhhna]

1. yeah, women came into the workforce, EVERYBODY's wages dropped,

and it's our fault?

Hell, we were the last cheap labor this country could exploit before the "illegal aliens" came...then the dammned jobs were exported to even cheaper labor 3rd worlders.

[Deep13]

4. Absolutely not your fault, but more workers does mean each one is worth less...

than before. Supply and demand. The remedy is to create an artificial shortage by unionizing more workplaces, especially offices, retail and restaurants.

[Captain Hilts]

8. All new introductions to the workforce lower wages. nt

[canetoad]

2. Saddening

But not surprising. In too many areas equality is only a veneer.

[Deep13]

3. "chickification?" I'm all for it.

In my experience, things just run better and easier when women are in charge. Not always, but often. The men I have worked for tend to have over-inflated, glass egos and can't handle disagreement or criticism.

[leftofcool]

6. Spoken like a real man! Wish there were more of you!

[Deep13]

7. Thanks!

:hi:

[no_hypocrisy]

5. Reagan "gently rebuked the ladies" for taking men's jobs early in his administration.q

Made the New York Times.

[Captain Hilts]

9. Was that the 'without women men would still be in bearskins' speech? nt

[Me.]

10. Oh Yeah, Now The Scapegoating Starts

And normal for who? Also what makes them think they should be first in the pecking order?

[Taverner]

11. Read "Stiffed" by Susan Faludi eom