Much has been said about the emancipation of today’s woman, and yet the emergence of the New Age Man has not received its due recognition. This decade has given birth to a man who refuses to be defined by stereotypes. This evolved species is breaking the boundaries of all the age old dictates of how a man should be, what he should do, and when he should do it. Folks, here’s presenting the Metrospiritual Man. The more cynical members of the female species are probably rolling their eyes right now. No need to scoff, ladies! If proof is what you need, all you have to do is look around - they're everywhere!
The last 15-20 years have witnessed many changes. There has been a complete revolution in the information and telecommunication industries and a staggering amount of progress in the fields of medicine and finance, to name just a few. But against the backdrop of these exciting changes, something else has also undergone a significant transformation; something that is much more subtle but no less remarkable – the male psyche.
Gender roles
Not very long ago, the roles of the two sexes were rigidly defined. The man was considered to be the bread winner and protector while the woman was supposed to be the homemaker and nurturer. Each was confined to his or her domain and any interference from the other was unwelcome. Earlier, a woman stepping out of her home to earn a living and provide for her family would have caused a major dent in the male ego. Not so anymore. Societal parameters seem to have become blurred over time.
While women these days are busy proving themselves in every walk of life, men seem to be more willing to explore their feminine side. The evidence of this is to be found in the thriving cosmetics industry churning out fairness creams for men and getting celebrities to endorse them. Women drool over John ‘Hot’ Abraham flaunting his six packs and modelling for a skin care product. It is difficult to envisage a Rajesh Khanna pulling this off! Exclusive spas for men can be seen mushrooming everywhere. Do you think this would happen if there wasn’t a growing demand for them? Apparently, pampering the body is no longer the prerogative of a woman alone.
The king of the kitchen!
It is also heartening to find young boys learning their way around the kitchen. Today, a 20 year old guy pumping iron at a gym, heading off for a steam bath, and then coming home to fix lunch for himself does not seem so unusual. Nowadays, a man would not make a big deal of changing his baby’s soiled diaper, rustling up dinner for his family or getting a manicure. Can you imagine our grandfathers - or for that matter, our fathers - doing any of this?
Pervin Chhapkhanawala, a writer and poet, points out, “Since both my husband and I have busy careers, we have an equal hand in maintaining the house and cooking meals. We attend meditation retreats together and we are both Reiki masters. When roles are not strictly divided and individuals typecast, there is an unmatched sense of empathy and togetherness within a family”.
The New Age Man
All this may seem like old news, since this issue has been deliberated upon by many. Moreover, these reforms have been so slow in coming that they have failed to generate much excitement. But, don’t be too hasty in giving a dismissive shrug. There is another interesting aspect to all this. What many people fail to realize is that women’s liberation has proved pivotal, not only in the evolution of women, but also in that of men. This newfound awareness in the male consciousness with respect to the opposite sex has also paved the way for his own growth. He has learnt to get in touch with all the different facets of his being and is determined to follow his heart without getting bogged down by social pressures or expectations. A case in point is Kartik Agate, a 30 something software professional, who allowed his budding career to take a back seat so that he could pursue his passion for ballet. Haven’t we come a long way?
Metrospirituality
It is not only about making an unconventional career choice, or taking a bold step to change careers mid-life, or even deciding to be a stay-at-home father. It is about claiming all the various dimensions of his persona and creating a wonderful blend. It is about being macho and creative and spiritual all at once. That probably explains why thirty two years old Saket Godase, a software professional, is happy to juggle a rewarding career in automation along with his ambitious spiritual goals. Like most of today’s youth, he does not believe in redundant religious rituals, but takes a keen interest in spirituality. In his own words, “I don’t see why I should compartmentalise my life and focus on climbing the corporate ladder only. I meditate, I exercise, and many of my decisions revolve around what would be better for my spiritual growth. Mind you, spirituality is different from religion or rituals. I would be the first one to condemn outdated rites”. Till a few years ago, spiritual pursuit was considered to be a post- retirement indulgence; an activity relegated to the “Things to Do after Sixty” list. Not anymore!
The man of this millennium is a fascinating mélange of the earthy and the mystical. He is the Yang with a touch of the Yin. He is virile and sensitive, he can carry off a pink shirt and he also cooks! What an intoxicating mix! Could one ask for more? People, make some noise for the Metrospiritual Man. He has arrived and he is here to stay!
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—About our writer:
Sonalee Satwalekar is a graduate in English Literature and also holds a diploma in Hotel Management and Catering Technology. After two years experience in the hotel industry, she worked for three years as a trainer for spoken English. Currently pursuing a career in freelance writing, she looks forward to working on interesting and challenging projects. She considers her passion for writing and a keen sense of humour to be her strengths.
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