Oh, this topic is interesting!
Actually, I think there are lots of ways to be a man and that the reason we see more 'feminine' men is because we are now allowed to see them without them being a joke (okay, let's stop... sometimes they are STILL a joke) and can be open and honest about our feelings. Masculinity is not something that can be bottled and typecast into a few activities. Some of the 'strongest' (i.e. read typical belching in public frat boys) men I know are only strong because they can't face their emotions. Their are swishy men that have more backbone than they do. *shrugs* It's true.
But then I also wouldn't call those swishy men 'masculine' either. *shrugs* However, I don't say that somehow a man who isn't masculine is somehow less than a man or not worth as much because they are gender atypical.... different maybe but not less than. I don't know... but again there are so many ways to masculinity and so many facets... black masculinity, poor, mestizo/Indian, white, rich, gay... they way we go about it and the way they all mix and clash is what is interesting.
Personally, I prefer masculine guys but to me, I realize that that is totally up to the individual in how they express themselves. So when people are replying with their 'I prefer x/I don't like x in guys; I prefer y.. y is too much", does it really matter? In the end, as long as there is someone out their that responds to your version of it, then I guess its working. So whether the Ryan Seacrest make you wanna barf, there are still websites filled with women still championing his heterosexuality, or whether its your Burt Renolds types who you know will have guts and have to kick out of the house a few times like a petulant drunk child, they are all forms and versions of masculinity, working for the individual and the group as a whole.
So don't knock the "pussification" of men since no one EVER discourages the "cockification" of women to demand and assert themselves; where women with guns who kick ass are seen as exciting for having traits that are typical of men (although they somehow have the bodies of 20 year olds for some ODD unrealistic reason... but hey, I can't talk, 'cause fags like their men buff and roided out so maybe we all men have unrealistic perceptions of their sexual objects) because we all came from a pussy... most of us like pussy and should thus appreciate some of the pussy's (read: qualities we regard as feminine) traits. Masculinity will not be watered down or destroyed (come to my underground built in dungeon in about 8 yearsand you'll always find it) just because it coexists with another gender. You can drink your beers, watch your football, read your comics, watch your Project Runway, squeeze your penis, or lift some weights, and still consider yourself a guy.
Calms down, y'all.
