Fatherhood and manhood: Reflections on men’s roles in the contemporary context

Abstract

The role of women and the legitimate struggle to reclaim their place in society and the recognition of their rights have acquired unprecedented relevance in contem- porary times. What began as a noble cause throughout the twentieth century has gradually become blurred. In the name of women’s rights, a battle was initiated against men, who have come to be portrayed as the sole perpetrators of all the hardships and injustices committed against women. As a result, the contemporary image of men has been diminished, and their role in society as fathers, husbands, and the natural complement of women has been progressively displaced. This ne- gative perception of men has given rise to a crisis that primarily affects men and, as an inevitable consequence, women, marriage, the family, and society as a whole. The present study seeks to examine this phenomenon and to propose a path that promotes complementarity and transcends the rupture between men and women.