The Wimp Factor

The first part of psychologist’s Stephen Ducat The Wimp Factor: Gender Gaps, Holy Wars, and the Politics of Anxious Masculinity was so-so. He started off with some psychological foundations. Many American men feel compelled to prove their masculinity, since much of popular society looks down on guys who are effeminate, weak, or homosexual. That idea is credible, but some of Ducat’s more psychological ponderings are dubious. The second chapter examined views towards masculinity in 19th century American, a moderately interesting topic.

Things picked up in the remainder of the book, when Ducat analyzed how masculinity concerns affected recent Presidential politics. George H. W. Bush struggled to overcome the perception of being a wimp, which many voters view and the media view as a fatal flaw in a Presidential candidate. In 1988, Republican strategists managed to mitigate the “Wimp Factor”, aided by Michael Dukakis’s utter lack of machismo. While The Gulf War made Bush appear more masculine for a short time, it wasn’t enough for him to win the 1992 election.

The following chapter examines the nation’s reaction to Hillary Clinton, which Ducat connects with male fears of female sexuality, female power, and castration. Ducat’s analysis of the popular opinion of Hillary was very interesting. The next chapter, about Bill Clinton, divided his Presidency into two phases: before and after Monica Lewinsky. Before Monica he was viewed as a weak man dominated by his wife, while the revelations of infidelity made him appear as more of a macho guy.

The rest of the book investigates the mental association of liberalism with being effeminate and conservative beliefs with masculinity. These associations gave rise to the gender gap in voting patterns and views towards social programs, war, and other policy issues. The 9/11 attacks and the administration of George W. Bush made masculinity even more of an issue. Overall, The Wimp Factor gives you a lot to think about, if you don't mind the author’s liberal beliefs.