With all due respect to the exceptions, the Baby Boom generation often seems to live by the “Masculinity 101 Handbook.” But times change, and that handbook is ready for the recycling bin. Modern men are doing things that Boomers never expected anyone with XY chromosomes would do. Here are eight things Boomers thought men would never do, and yet today’s men are excelling at them.
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1. Involvement in Childcare
Every time my Boomer father witnesses my Millennial husband doing anything related to our son other than existing on the birth certificate, he smirks and mentally deducts testosterone points from my husband’s manliness card. It’s no secret that other than the occasional gruff pat on the head or the “Ask your mother,” Boomer fathers were basically non-existent in childcare—because men worked and women did childcare. Nowadays, modern dads are packing lunches, changing diapers, watching “Bluey,” and doing many things that were traditionally handled by one parent back in the day.
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2. House Chores
Boomers thought a man’s place was anywhere but the kitchen or laundry room. But today’s men are vacuuming, dusting, and folding laundry like Martha Stewart on steroids. Sorry, Boomers, but the idea that housework would emasculate a man has gone the way of the dodo.
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3. Beauty Care
For a generation that grew up watching spaghetti westerns, it’s understandable boomers believed that washing your face and taking a shower was the pinnacle of grooming. Today, men are indulging in skincare routines that would make a K-pop star envious. Moisturizers, exfoliants, and the occasional face mask are now staples in the modern man’s bathroom. Turns out, taking care of your skin doesn’t make you less of a man—just less wrinkly.
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4. Experiment with Fashion
Remember when Boomer men thought fashion was limited to choosing between khakis and jeans? Today’s men are trying something called a “personal style” and confidently wearing pink shirts, floral patterns, skinny jeans, tailored suits, and even man buns. They’ve traded in their white sneakers for something a bit more stylish — like anything else.
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5. Opt for Work-Life Balance
The idea that men must work themselves to the bone to prove their worth is passé. Today’s men are trying to achieve work-life balance and often prioritize time with family and personal well-being over endless hours at the office.
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6. Self-Care
Looks like Boomer ideals of “toughing it out” have been replaced by “namaste.” Yoga and meditation were used to be seen as “hippie nonsense” but nowadays, men are hitting the yoga mat, and me ditating like zen masters. Inner peace, flexible hamstrings, and chakras are the new benchmarks of manliness.
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7. Pursue Non-Traditional Careers
Once, suggesting a man become a nurse or a teacher might have been met with awkward silence. Today, men are diving into these fields headfirst, and guess what? They’re thriving.
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8. Expressing Emotions Openly
Today’s men are much more open about expressing their emotions, which is a big change from what many Boomers expected. It’s normal for men to talk about their mental health and seek therapy, which helps reduce the stigma around these issues. Even if you are a boomer reading this, deep down, you know it’s a good thing.
This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.
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