Golden Age of the Mangina: Turn-of-the-Century USA - 1904

FULL TEXT: As society is made, it is almost impossible for a man to go the right way about his relations with woman. The system prescribes a certain attitude. It is the attitude of crawl, salaam, obsequiousness and second fiddle.

If you depart from it by a hair’s breadth your woman become suspicious of you. If you advise other men to depart from it you get a bad name.

Women stand up for women’s rights and are made the subject of applause, bouquets and  illuminated addresses. The man who dares come out strong for men’s rights does not breathe. Men do not want him. They are like canaries in cages, afraid to go out lest the cat get them. Peace at any price is man’s rule of life.

Abroad he will swagger and bluster, and bully. “Nemo me impune lacessit!” he roars. At home his watchword is ‘‘Blessed are the meek.” Abroad he frowns and breathes fire; at home he is plain, unvarnished “him.” Abroad he struts, at home he slinks. Abroad he is very wise, at home he is a little child.— Gentlewoman.

[“Poor, Abused Man! What Male Is There Who Will Stand Up for Man’s Rights?” Boston Globe (Ma.), May 1, 1904, p. 32; Illustration from fashion article on preceding page (31)]

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