Tender gender issues.

Abstract

For 40 years, I have been a male on this planet. Nearly half of those years I have proudly worked as a speech-language pathologist. Some say that I don't seem like other men, whatever that means. I am told that I am sensitive, caring, even loving. Why do some believe that women corner those markets? Once I was invited to participate in a men's group, a collection of men from throughout the community who talk about issues that relate to men. What fun, I thought. It wasn't long before I realized that I did not belong in that group. Discussions turned to bashing--women, work, life. The other group members wanted me to continue to participate because they indicated that I represented another side--a happy side. You see, I love my wife. I love my kids, too. What's more, I enjoy my work and sincerely believe that it is important. I value the opportunity to work with student, faculty, and administrative colleagues I respect. I guess my views were not too popular with the men's group.