Why Men Are the Way They Are – Oprah -1987

I found these videos while doing some research on Dr. Warren Farrell. He was on The Oprah Winfrey show back in 1987. It’s great to look back at Oprah from this time period. She was just getting started and on her way to ruling the daytime TV world.

These videos feature Dr. WarrenFarrell. He came to prominence in the 1970s as one of the most vocal men championing the cause of second wave feminism and eventually became the only man to serve on the New York City Board of the National Organization of Women (NOW). However, when NOW took policy positions that Farrell regarded as anti-male and anti-father, he left and went on to continue supporting the expansion of women’s options while adding what he felt was missing about boys, men and fathers.

In a 1997 interview, Farrell stated:

Everything went well until the mid-seventies when NOW came out against the presumption of joint custody [of children following divorces]. I couldn’t believe the people I thought were pioneers in equality were saying that women should have the first option to have children or not to have children–that children should not have equal rights to their dad.

He is still one of the leading advocates for men and boys.

Watch all five of these videos. You might hear things that are pretty shocking. Some things might not surprise you. I feel it is time we revisit some of these same issues that were discussed back in 1987. It might be great to listen to a modern male perspective on divorce, relationships, custody, child rearing and marriage.

Balance. Life is all about balance. I feel at this point in our culture, there needs to be a little acknowledgment of opposing viewpoints. Men matter just as much as women and we should be allowed to voice our opinions and feelings. I really do not like dismissive attitudes, especially when men want to voice our opinions. When boys turn into men that have not sufficiently dealt with their emotions, all kinds of negativity spews from that fountain. Let us be heard, listen to what we have to say and hopefully we can make changes. Our culture can only benefit from everyone taking part.

Have you ever wondered why men are the way we are? Listen and you might learn a thing or two

Remember, this  was twenty-five years ago. Has our culture improved, remained the same or gotten worse?

Listen to several men from decades ago say the same thing you hear modern men say:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV60F3jBczA&w=560&h=315]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gneHJCdaIDc&w=560&h=315]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0jXYfCgV7o&w=560&h=315]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea8IhAAsyaU&w=560&h=315]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uf7LBoSg8Sg&w=560&h=315]

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