Jim Wysong Explores Gender Role Issues in New Book

SAINT LOUIS, MO--(Marketwire - Dec 14, 2011) - Author Jim Wysong's new book, "The Neutering of the American Male" (www.TheNeuteringoftheAmericanMale.com), examines the psychology of confused gender roles and theorizes about the emotional problems that can ensue.

"Most men are wired to be in charge; it's part of their DNA," he writes. "They come into the world with a tendency toward certain masculine characteristics, for instance, a preference for building blocks over building relationships.

"Over the past century, gender roles have blurred, leading to some women developing more masculine qualities by necessity and some men developing stronger feminine qualities, like sensitivity and compassion."

While everyone has both masculine and feminine qualities, problems occur when a person loses balance and is living opposite his or her core, Wysong writes. The incongruence leads to stress, distress and dissatisfaction. And some very confused men and women.

His book offers men some telltale signs that their emotional distress stems from psychological neutering:

• If they have lots of friends who are girls, but no girlfriends. Feminine females will enjoy the company of a man they can talk to and feel comfortable with, but they won't be physically attracted to him if he doesn't possess a masculine presence. It's a law of nature in the same way opposite poles of a magnet attract while like poles repel.
  
  
• If they're more comfortable around women than men. Masculinity tends to be more confrontational -- men will test one another, push each other. Femininity tends to avoid confrontation. Men who have developed a stronger feminine side are not comfortable with confrontation and feel threatened. They feel more supported by and less threatened by women.
  
  
• If they consistently look to others for approval. While a certain level of self-confidence is healthy and necessary for both men and women, masculinity tends to have a self-confidence that's almost unwarranted. Masculinity remains self-confident even when they know they don't have the answers. When that confidence is muted in men, they often doubt themselves and seek approval from others.
  
  

If you recognize yourself, Wysong writes, don't worry. With self-awareness, you can make changes to bring your male and female qualities into balance.

About Jim Wysong

Jim Wysong is a businessman, contractor and real estate investor who spent more than 30 years observing and studying psychology and human behavior through workshops, seminars and textbooks.