Photograph Source: Phillip Pessar CC BY 2.0
Less than a week after its release,The Barbie Moviehasgarneredan intense reaction from the Right, fromaccusationsof delivering more lectures than laughs,andthe most anti-man film ever made, to a 43-minute rant by Ben Shapiro, during which heburneda Barbie, Ken, and a toy car,claimingthe movie undermines basic human values.
In their urgency to crush a perceived feminist agenda, Right Wing commentators are missing the films remarkably balanced attempt to mend a rift in the cultural dialogue about gender and identity. Rather than heeding the critics who cry woke, conservatives would do well to see the film and judge for themselves.
Greta GerwigsBarbieexplores themes that should appeal to conservatives, championing the value of motherhood I challenge any parent to not get misty-eyed refusing to dichotomize traditional femininity and professional achievement, criticizing the ironically anti-woman elements of internet feminism, and even acknowledging the struggle to achieve constitutional equality between groups. As a psychologist, however, what I found most interesting, and certainly most relevant to the right wing discourse surrounding the movie, is the films interaction with the psychological principle of precarious manhood.
Precarious manhood refers to the male tendency to measure their masculinity according to others estimation, rather than by personal or objective means. In other words, the respect of being a real man is something that is difficult to gain, easily lost, and must be constantly proved. Men who perceive their manhood as being threatened tend to respond aggressively, often posturing and blustering to appear tough and manly. This other-dependent masculinity is one of the central themes of the movie and its the reason why many right wing critics are reacting so strongly.
Barbies Ken, played with Oscar-winning aplomb by Ryan Gosling, is a man-doll whose identity is entirely tied up in his desired relationship with Barbie. The narrators introduction perfectly summarizes Kens self-concept: Ken only has a great day if Barbie looks at him. When it becomes clear that Barbie isnt interested, Kens threatened precarious manhood drives him to embrace patriarchy, conquer Barbieland, and brainwash the once-independent Barbies into wearing French Maid outfits and serving the Kens brewski beers.
Many across the ideological spectrum, including theAmerican Psychological Association, feminist scholarChristina Hoff Sommers, and even Ben Shapiros fellow Daily Wire contributorJordan Peterson, have all highlighted the dangers of this masculine insecurity. Lack of self-identity mixed with feelings of isolation in other words, precarious manhood drives men to dangerous beliefs and behaviors. Although Ken is the antagonist, the film treats him compassionately, and Ken resolves his crisis by realizing that he is Kenough, and must anchor his identity beyond his job (which is not a lifeguard, but simply beach) or desired romantic relationships. Instead, he must view himself as an individual with innate value. Sure its not quite Russell Kirks The Conservative Mind, but youd think this positive depiction of individualism as the solution to a crisis of masculinity deserves some Right Wing approval.
The trouble is many conservativecriticsare afflicted by the same precarious manhood as Ken. For example, Id suggest that setting toys on fire likeToy Storys kid-nightmare Sidis not the behavior of someone secure in their masculinity. Modern conservative media is full of similar examples, from Donald Trumps constant temper tantrums to supposed masculinity advocate Jordan Petersonsrefusingto apologize for sexist comments about swimsuit models.Testicle tanningTucker Carlson takes the cake by sympatheticallyinterviewingallegedsex trafficker andadmittedsexual predator Andrew Tate as a part of his efforts to address his perception of societys masculinity crisis.
Clearly thereisa crisis of masculinity within our society, but solving it would require admitting that these problems exist, not just blame-shifting or melting down every time someone else points them out.Barbies critics are too consumed by their precarious manhood to do this so much so that a movie affirming mens need to source their identity in something stronger than female approval has provoked their ire and left them seeing an olive branch as a threat. Were these people more secure in their manhood if they could only realize that they, too, are Kenough then their response toBarbiewould likely be very different. It would certainly involve less burnt plastic.
I wont pretend thatThe Barbie Movieis perfect. For instance, I wish the father character had been less buffoonish. However, I didnt perceive the films questions or jokes as a threat to men, but as opportunities to engage in important conversations. Greta Gerwigclaimsshe intended the film as an invitation for everybody men and women, liberal and conservative. The film simultaneously rejects toxic masculinity and extreme feminism, patriarchy and matriarchy, suggesting that answers to our cultures ideological differences must lie somewhere in the middle. Like Barbie and Ken, the audience is left to work out our answers through our own self-examinations and discussions..
But those discussions cant occur if we burn Barbie-mobiles instead of building bridges. Like Ken, we should abandon our precarious manhood and instead follow Barbies example: do the imagining, dont be the idea. Go see the movie yourself (wear pink!) you might be pleasantly surprised.
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Why are Conservative Men so Mad About Barbie? - CounterPunch