RA 3- Salam

In Reihan Salam's article written in 2009 titled "The Death of Macho", he explains how a male dominated society is beginning to decline and recede to an equal gender society and how the engrained ideal of macho is beginning to diminish. He notes that the recent recession is the consequence of male incompetence in the financial capitalism world and how men can either accept the fact that women will soon be equally responsible for financial security if not the main caretakers. Salam is writing to anyone who cares to listen, generally those who are obsessed with their ideals and refuse to accept the way of the future tend not to listen to radical new theories based on fact or not, so his message will not be heard universally and arguably to those who need to hear it most. Salam wants to see a more successful society and believes that equality is of the utmost importance if this is to be done. Salam states there are now only two choices left to men "adaptation: men embracing women as equal partners and assimilating to the new cultural sensibilities, institutions, and egalitarian arrangements that entails." or " resistance. Men may decide to fight the death of macho, sacrificing their own prospects in an effort to disrupt or delay a powerful historical trend" (633).

Salam uses pathos by making connections of the oppression women face in other countries such as Russia and China and yet are still upholding jobs and taking in money to support their families. There are 10.4 million more women than men in Russia and yet they still make less money and are exposed to sexual exploitation at work and hypocrisy at home while having the highest working age women employment rate than any other country. Salam explains "Puttin has aided and abetted these men, turning their nostalgia for the lost macho of Soviet times into an entire ideology" (634). Which translates into a resistance to this new movement resulting in all around loss of total income and a drop in their economy and country-wide health and satisfaction. This is the result of flawed and outdated ideals that eventually hurt everyone and is translated to his audience as being the tell tale signs of a new world with new ideals.

The author uses logos by describing the problems in the current economy with job losses and general sociological changes that have been products of the recession both here in the US and in Europe. He recites " soon, there will be three female college graduates for every two males in the United States, and a similarly uneven outlook in the rest of the developed world" (630). Salam calls this a "he-cession" which means it is not only a loss of jobs for men, but a loss of this so called "macho" which is results in an increase in the need for females to step up. Men are not suited for the jobs that are becoming available in this new world while women have been preparing and are ready to accept responsibility that men are not. This back up the theory of this new world change where men choose to resist and lose out or adapt and reap the benefits that it entails.

Salam's use of this term "macho" is an important factor in his persuasive writing. It encompasses not only the ideals in the "guy code" but it represents a flawed perspective on the current roles in society in regard to working families and what is the sociological norm. Salam explains "the problem of macho run amok and excessively compensated is now giving way to macho unemployed and undirected- a different but possibly just as destructive phenomenon" (632). The buying in to this idea of macho and social norms is causing self-inflicted wounds on men around the globe and hurting women trying to make a name for themselves as individuals and as an equal gender which is resulting in an overall decline of socials acceptance and household income. Disturbing and real, this irresponsibility of men to accept reality and move on accordingly will hurt the global society and lead the U.S to an even more divided country, adding another reason to manifest hatred and inequality. This is portrayed by Salam in his constant use of "macho" derogatory or not.

This article is effective and interesting and holds a message that would not be wise to disregard. It is obvious that the global economics and sociology is changing, and those that refuse to listen or even hear it will be left in the dust and end up regretting it. The world moves quickly and this is just one example of how those who are too out of touch to understand it and refuse to acknowledge it are the perpetuators of problems that cannot be rectified without support.