The article I wrote last week regarding sexual stereotypes got me thinking about an inverse instance of gender prejudice embodied in the ironic phenomenon of ‘manscaping.’

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term, manscaping is a trend in which men primp themselves beyond socially acceptable means in a bizarre effort to impress girls. Essentially, the motive is to look as much like a girl as possible while still retaining some of the distinguishing features of men that nature endowed them with, like muscles and broad shoulders. Symptoms of manscaping include: excessively tweezed eyebrows, noxious amounts of cologne, designer clothes that appear to have been sprayed on, the removal of all body hair, and the persistent and unrelenting use of moisturizers. Men with fair complexions may also invest in a fake tanning agent for a hideously artificial orange glow.

Fortunately, we have yet to observe a complete rejection of male characteristics and testosterone culture. Repressed maleness, or perhaps the need to reaffirm masculinity that still exists in some psychological recesses, appears on occasions such as Halloween. Many guys went Downtown this year bare-chested and sporting leotards with spears and shields in hand, imitating Spartans from the movie ‘300.’ However, one can scarcely take a guy such as this seriously when aside from being purely concerned with the appearance of being ‘badass,’ they still have copious amounts of gel in their hair.

I recall a commercial that aired last year that addressed this issue of the modern day male’s declining masculinity. One of the segments features two men in a department store sampling cologne, a venture seemingly innocuous enough. Suddenly, however, the two otherwise gruff appearing men begin spritzing the fragrance into the air in a flamboyant fashion and sensuously wafting the scent in euphoric bliss. What happened to the quintessential guy? You know, the one who is supposed to be rugged, ascetic and at least mildly indifferent toward outward appearance?

Historically, men were hunter-gatherers, forced to trek their way through acres of uncharted woods, as well as brave warriors who would not succumb to frivolous cares in light of their need to protect their values. In a largely superficial age driven by image, lots of guys have become more concerned with their appearance than they are with maintaining rigid values or treating women appreciably. By no means am I suggesting a stylistic regression to Cro-Magnon fashion, or supporting the reinstatement of leopard skin togas and thick furrowed brows. I am merely asking for guys around campus to maintain some sense of masculinity, and be wary of Ewan McGregor’s ‘Trainspotting’ caveat: ‘In a thousand years, there will be no men and women, just wankers.’