In my Humanities class on the “body” yesterday, I noted in passing that there was much to be said for erectile dysfunction. I have always maintained that men would be far more insufferable than they otherwise are trained to be if the penis was, in fact, a muscle entirely under their control. For those who want to read my original post on the subject, here it is.
The money quote: ED literally softens the penis; it can also figuratively soften a man by forcing him to rethink his allegiance to a cruel and unattainable standard.
Whether or not I agree with you (although the theory behind it as a solution to the problem you name is sound) I have to say that this comment by Oriscus in that thread is also quite brilliant:
And once again, we prove that feminists lie awake at night worried that a man somewhere might be having fun and taking a passive-aggressive joy if he isn’t.
Chief, I’m a man. I’ve had a hell of a lot of sex in my day, and you know, I am cheerfully in the category of those who are grateful for his OWN bouts of ED. I write what I know well, at least here; my occasional experiences with erectile dysfunction have made me, on balance, both a better lover and a better man.
Hugo,
Personal growth often requires that we suffer through a condition that is painful or emotionally troubling, and seeing that there are other ways of living. This sounds like - “I handled it and came out better - so it would be a good thing if the same thing happened to people like you too.”
“it can also figuratively soften a man by forcing him to rethink his allegiance to a cruel and unattainable standard.”
I know a beautiful, stunning woman who, because of medical problems lost all her hair. She had beautiful hair, and was quite proud of it. She was deeply troubled when she lost it all.
So would you write this line, instead of the line you wrote:
From a women’s studies perspective, hair loss leaves women feeling vulnerable and inadequate, and that’s a good thing.
?
And I really need to really learn to really proof read before I submit… lol. that’s life after a day of cleaning house eh?
G_R