For the last few weeks, I've been reading up on how society treats men and boys. What I found has been disturbing, to say the least.

In popular media, straight men are portrayed as idiots, slobs, womanizers, rapists, or thugs (or any and all of the above). Name one TV show that shows a husband in a positive light compared to his wife - I sure can't.

In a strange twist of fate, a co-worker (female), who is the one who writes my review, just sent me the following "joke" via email:

My husband, being unhappy with my mood swings, bought me a mood ring the other day so he would be able to monitor my moods.

We've discovered that when I'm in a good mood, it turns green. When I'm in a bad mood, it leaves a big freaking red mark on his forehead.

Maybe next time he'll buy me a diamond!

If I had sent an email to a woman at work talking about how I smack my wife around when I'm in a bad mood, I'd be fired.

Any thoughts on that?

I agree. I think that the "regular guys" of my generation have worked hard to change. We as a group have tried to become more sensitive, caring and outwardly emotional. Mostly at the beheast of society and the female of the species.

As a result, we are treated with less respect rather than more. We are mocked by the entertainment industry, and often taken for granted and taken advantage of by our wives.

How the tables have turned from my father's day, where men were the unquestioned leaders of the family and heads of the household. I fear we have figured out too late that being the kind of men the world told us to be has been a detriment to us all.

Have you seen any of the articles on how college enrollment of men is way down? Or that boys now do worse in elementary and secondary schools than girls (grade-wise)?

How about popular media lies? How many of us heard (and maybe believed) the old "Super Bowl Violence" myth, e.g. that Super Bowl Sunday was the worse day for domestic violence against women? That is, in fact, a made up "fact" with no data to support it. The originator of the statement has even retracted it, but that idea still lives on.

Yes, I am subjected to male bashing every time I make the mistake of turning on the television. I see males (sons, brothers, fathers, husbands) projected as pea brained, bumbling, tongue tied, clueless, knuckle dragging neanderthals whose only redeeming qualities are lawn maintenance and auto repair. Network and satellite/cable programming, and commercials are all the same message - men are worthless.
LKS, did you tell your co-worker that you find her humor and attitude offensive? Send a copy of said email to your company's HR office manager and ask that it added to your personal file? If some woman were to play that bull**** game with me - especially one in supervision - I would privately, and politely, draw and quarter her self righteous, arrogant a**. She sounds like the type with an axe to grind and a take no prisoners agenda. Probably trying to - or did - grow a pair.
I don't dislike women, have a problem with anyone smarter/wiser than me, or have an axe to grind. Treat me how you want me to treat you because what goes around, comes around. (I politely cede the soapbox that I was standing on.)

How about the Arby's commercial where the (overweight, poorly dressed) guy is called upstairs by his wife, finds her dressed in fishnets etc, and suddenly wants Arby's fish sandwiches.

Or how about the "humor" of seeing guys hit in the balls on "funny" video shows. I'm not a shrink, but I'd say that there is some definite emasculation symbolism there.

As to my co-worker, it's always good to have something on someone. If I need the nuke option, I now have it.