80s Quote by Stephen Marche
![“What we're seeing now is not just a backlash against feminism. When you look at guys like [Jesse] Helms in the '80s or even Reagan and Bush, there was a real political backlash against feminism. This is different. This is a parodic recreation of the destruction of traditional masculinity. Look at…” quote by Stephen Marche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/96e/stephen-marche-15665_80s_what-we-re-seeing-now-is-not-just-a-back_1907173.jpg)
“What we're seeing now is not just a backlash against feminism. When you look at guys like [Jesse] Helms in the '80s or even Reagan and Bush, there was a real political backlash against feminism. This is different. This is a parodic recreation of the destruction of traditional masculinity. Look at these hollow men. Look at Steve Bannon who wears sweat pants, who doesn't shave. Or Yiannopoulos who is just a clown. This is toxic masculinity. It's new. To see it as a return to the past is a mistake. It's the breakdown of traditional masculinity, rather than its retrenchment.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Commentary on contemporary gender politics, 2020s
The quote argues that current anti‑feminist sentiment is a parody that erodes traditional masculinity, not a revival of past values.
In simple terms: Modern backlash mocks and destroys old male roles.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge toxic masculinity.
Themes
gender politics
masculinity
culture
backlash
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- media commentary
- social media
- public debates
- education curricula
Key Concepts
parody
erosion
identity
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How does parody differ from genuine critique?
- What are healthier ways to redefine masculinity?
A Different Perspective
It may oversimplify complex social changes and ignore positive aspects of evolving gender roles.
![“The division [between how much housework men and women do] is declining across all advanced economies - not for the reasons that people want, which is men are doing more, but because women are doing less of it, but even then, the trend is getting towards equality.” quote by Stephen Marche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c39/stephen-marche-15665_division_the-division-between-how-much-housework_168872.jpg)
![“It was a very economically depressed time [the 80s] and because of that, there was a lot of space. Everything was relatively dilapidated, and one could live on a pretty low income. One could live well below the poverty line and not suffer immensely.” quote by Kiki Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6f7/kiki-smith-10643_80s_it-was-a-very-economically-depressed-tim_26978.jpg)
