Both men and women have suffered for their sex. It is both impossible and pointless to argue over who has had the more rotten deal.

On the one hand women around the world continue to be battered and raped by men.

On the other hand we still value our men so little that it seems natural to send young lads off to die in wars simply because it is "the manly thing to do", to be slaughtered for country.

I am more than familiar with women and "women's" periodicals that seem to enjoy painting women as the victims of a brutal, man's world. These ladies seem happy to list every statistic showing how their sex is victimised annualy by Men.

Though all these women are self proclaimed, "feminists", they are not true feminists. Feminists are interested in a healthy relationship between Man and Woman. A level-headed feminist would never run about crying "VICTIM! VICTIM! I am a VICTIM!"

A feminist is a woman, or should be a woman, who is interested in her well-fare as a woman. She wants men not only to respect her but to be comfortable with her, because she truly likes men. A feminist is interested in puting aside hostility between the sexes. And the last thing a real feminist wants to do is alienate men.

I feel sure that as both sexes come to understand one another better women will come to understand the deep pain that comes of being male in a culture that asks men to deny their humanity.

Until then, I can only hope that men will make every effort to make clear to women the ways in which they also suffer, with the faith in woman-kind that she will listen and not abuse.

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