Emasculation and the Post-Trumpian Politics of Irrationality

The Trump movement is best understood as an explosion of male rage: rage at emasculation. It is diffuse, confused, chaotic and furious. The post-election liberal meltdown is best understood as female hysteria: a diffuse, confused, chaotic feeling of vulnerability and danger. Both are rooted in the crisis of masculinity and the decline of virility as paternity. An axis of malevolent forces have conspired over the last half century in a "perfect storm" to deconstruct masculinity and fatherhood: a mega-bureau-technocracy that leaves men powerless, the contraceptive revolution that set sexuality free from fertility/paternity/responsibility, a feminism that resents patriarchy and cannot cherish paternity, the breakdown of family and all the surrounding network of subsidiary communities, the deconstruction of gender as a personal/cultural construct, and a distancing from our heavenly Father. The mission of every man is, among other things, to be a "king" in his own realm, however small and modest. To reign regally as a servant means: sobriety, rationality, chastity, humility, courage, objectivity, selflessness, steadfastness, integrity and serenity. With the assault upon masculinity it has become rare and almost impossibly difficult for our young men to find a path that leads to such virile maturity. And so: the male rage! And so: the female hysteria! The concept of "hysteria" is unintelligible to our androgonous culture but is transparent to traditional cultures. The woman is open: physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. As such she is receptive: of all that is precious, truthful, beautiful and good. But as such she is vulnerable: to hostile penetration. So, she inherently has a delicacy, a sensitivity and a propensity to anxiety. The male disposition is quite different: he protrudes and is destined for paternity but if not guided properly he succumbs to rage or impotence and discouragement. So many of our young men are just so discouraged or angry! And so many of our women are anxious! Personally, I have very little hope in Trump or either of the parties. I am inclined to the politics of the Benedict option: to engage our energies locally, concretely in our families, faith communities, and the needs of those around us. St. Benedict: Pray for us!